
.&*#£ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Cli;i|i.» .^.loiniri^fo. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



* 



NAPHTALI; 



OR, 



THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 



BY 



s 



AMANDA PYLE MICHENER. 



Knowledge by suffering entercth, 
And life is perfected by death." 




TRESS OF J. B. LirPINCOTT COMPANY, 

PHILADELPHIA. 

1889. 



P5 zs°io 



Copyright, 1S89, by Amanda Pvle Michener. 




PEEFACE. 



The following Bible story, through which a 
thread of romance is interwoven, was written in 
1887. It was suggested to me by the reading 
of " From Night to Light," by B. E. E. I was 
so enchanted with the story that it seemed to 
haunt me, until I felt impelled to give it to 
the public in the form of verse. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER PAGE 

I. — Drifting towards Babylon 7 

II. — Tidings of War 11 

III. — Victory or Defeat ? 17 

IV. — The Handwriting on the "Wall 29 

V.^-Bound for the City of Is 40 

VI. — The King's Decree 50 

VII. — Journeying to Jerusalem 50 

VIII.— Eejoicings 89 

IX. — Lights and Shadows 98 

X. — Crowning the Temple 118 

XI. — The Work Progressing 132 

XII. — Brightness at Last 140 



] •■• 



NAPHTALI; 

OR, 

THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 



CHAPTER I. 

DRIFTING TOWARDS BABYLON. 

" Hold ! To the right there, Naphtali ! Are you 
dreaming ?" 

The sweet chant instantly ceased, 

And a bright flash kindled the young Jew's eye, 

As with the unmerited rebuke 

He sees his stern master come nigh ; 

But the heavy cloud of captivity hangs low 

As swiftly down the current they go. 

Sadly musing, the young boatman guides his craft 

along, 
As he sings, the while, the sweet praises of David's 

song. 

7 



g NAPHTALJj Oh\ THE VOUNQ BONDMAN, 
Like Blender needle-points the turrets of Babylon 



And the Bnow-crowned hills grow dimmer 

In the distance of the skies. 



While his companion at the bows 
Toys idly with his floating oars, 
A well-worn parchment from his belt 
Naphtali takes and o'er its contents pores : 

"Through God, valiantly we shall do, 
For he it is who our enemies will puisne." 

The wily Assyrian standing close by 

Is guarding him ever with a watchful eye. 

The songs of David scarce does the boy begin 

When his master, saying, "A traitor's song are those 

yon sing," 
Snatches the roll and flings it far into the river. 
"That was my only copy," the boy's lips murmur, 

with a quiver. 

Naphtali, with a wistful eye, 
Sees the fragment floating by. 

His master then spoke threatening words 

Which oft before this dew had heard. 

Grief in his breast is struggling now 

As he sees his parchment onward tlow ; 

The only copy of King David's psalms 

His master has snatched from his fair young hands. 



DRIFTING TOWARDS BABYLON. 9 

Wafted down on the wings of the wind, 
These words to his troubled soul come in : 
" Righteousness and judgment exeeuteth the Lord to 
all that arc oppressed/ 9 

These words are as the voiee of a faithful friend, 
They rebuke his spirit and comfort send ; 
This thought arises within his mind : 
" The parchment yet I still can find ; 
Written deep down within my heart I it can see; 
It is not wholly lost to me." 

With a dying blessing the aged Ithamar 
Had placed it in his hand, 
And with sorrow he sees it borne 
Away at the wind's command. 

Into the very heart of Babylon 
The little craft is floating on ; 
Naphtali rouses from his reverie, knowing 
His parchment now is gone. 

A most beautiful picture rises before him now, 
As he watches the beauty of the sunset's glow; 
Like emerald arches mounting heavenward, 
The Hanging Gardens rise ; 
Their foliage, as it were, in mid-air 
Striving to clasp the earth-clods 
With the bright blue of the skies. 



10 NAPHTALIi Oh\ THE YOUNG BONDMAN, 

In its own grand Betting of parks and gardens fair 
Stands the palace of the king in its beauty there. 

On the western banks, tower above tower. 
He sees the majestic temple of Belus rise, 
Pointing to a bewildering height 

Its turrets to the skies. 

Around each lordly mansion, each humble dwelling 

too. 
Are thrown invincible walls, — invincible 

Save where, as a keen sabre's edge, ents the great 
river through. 

Now the huge brazen gateway shuts out 
'The magnificent scene, 

As the dropping of a heavy curtain ; 
Picture and parchment are forgotten. 

For the busy present eometh in between. 



CHAPTEE II. 

TIDINGS OF WAR. 

"There! Naphtali, be swift of foot, these bottles 
Of palm wine must be delivered to-night; 
Take them to the merchant's, ami see to it. aright." 

Silent obedience he knew would best his master 

please ; 
Quickly the Leathern bottles were packed and borne 

with ease. 
A strange commotion in the streets there seemed 

to be, 
Which, his curiosity aroused, he fain would see. 

To the merchant's eagerly he hastened, 
And, unloading his tray, 
" What is the cause of all this commotion ?" 
He to the waiting-maid did say. 

" Why, have you not the news of the courier heard ? 
Darius the Mede has summoned Cyrus of Persia, 
And this great commotion stirred. 
Their troops will join in besieging our city. 
If this be true, they will spare no eye to pity." 

11 



12 NAPHTALI; OR, THE TOUNQ BONDMAN. 

From within, a sudden call hastened the servant 

away, 
While Naphtali quickly raised his empty tray. 

On every side eager, exeited voices greeted him, 
And, as the armory he passed, a clattering of 

Shields and spears he heard within. 
The brazen gate closed with a loud harsh sound 
Just as Naphtali into the boat stepped lightly down. 
He well knew, if one minute later he had been, 
The displeasure of his master he would have incurred 
again. 

Drawing a deep sigh of relief, he to his comrades 

said, 
" Soon in the city will be heard the armies' noise 

and tread." 
With intense interest listened they to Naphtali's news, 
And no time in reporting to their captain did they 

lose; 
Eager to learn more, scanned they the closed gates 
And watched the city lights ; 
But nowhere any unusual sound 
Detected they that night. 

Naphtali his evening supplications did repeat, 

But slumber with the asking to him that night was 

not meet. 
The very stars above him, shining bright, 
Like sentinels, seem watching for the coming fight. 



TIDINGS OF WAR. 13 

Would the morrow's sun on the vast plains of Shinar 
Reveal those countless legions of the coming war? 
The walls were so strongly built, a long time the 

siege might last; 
Perhaps they would die of starvation before the war 

was past. 

His little orphan sister was watching for him with 

an eager eye ; 
Weeks might change to months 
And months to years might fly, 
Before again from him she the news would learn; 
Then the thought came sadly, perhaps he would 

ne'er return. 

" Cast thy burden upon ilie Lord, and he shall sustain 
thee." 

On the midnight stillness, these words to him were 

as a voice ; 
Although his parchment now was gone, 
They, made his heart rejoice. 

While the watchful Assyrian was sleeping sound, 
And the stars on Naphtali were looking down, 
Suddenly his attention was arrested by a falling star 
Verging towards the sleeping city 
As it descended from afar. 

2 



14 NAPIITALI; OR, THE YOUNQ BONDMAN. 

The thought came to his mind with wonderful force, 
" Prophetic this star now is in its course/' 
u . Lucifer, son of the morning } 
From heaven how art thou fallen /" 

Had not the patriarch to him foretold 
The ruin of the golden city ? 

The strange thought of a coming battle, 

In which he too might take a part, 

Filled his soul with pity. 

The end of the seventy years' captivity so close at hand, 

The new light about to dawn, upon a captive band. 

The fall of Babylon, so long the glory of kingdoms, 

should he it see 
With his own eyes, as Ithamar had declared that it 

would be? 

On the gate-way the waning moon lit up the huge 

lion's head : 
It seemed to him like a vision, that together 
The lamb and the lion should lie down in their bed. 

Falling asleep, in his dreams Naphtali strove 
To arouse his sleeping mate, 
But in the rosy light of the morning sun 
He found himself awake. 

Not a word of the prophetic strain escaped his lips, 
For all his companions Assyrians were to the finger- 
tips. 



TIDINGS OF WAR. 15 

So Naphtali in his heart quietly pondered these 

words o'er. 
With the swinging back of those great gates 
His comrades stepped on shore. 

Now, of this young captive let me you a picture 

give : 
J>eside his stalwart companions, a mere child 
And slender built he is. 
The eighteen summers of his clouded life 
Had moulded both his heart and mind, 
True manliness he had acquired, 
And a character pure and kind ; 
An open countenance with olive cheeks before us 

rise, 
Dark waving locks and wistful, restless eyes : 
Now you have Naphtali's face 
In all its beauty and winning grace. 

Doubly he was orphaned now : 

His mother's death had left him so. 

He was surrounded by every influence to draw him 

away 
From the God his father taught him ever to 

obey. 
Forsake his cherished faith, will he? 
Let us follow him through a few years of his life 

and see. 



16 NAPHTALI; OR, THE FOUNO BONDMAN. 

The returning boatmen eagerly they greet : 

"Have you any tidings heard to-day along the 

street ? 
Is there an active battle or a siege at hand? 
What has been the order of the king's command ?" 
" Along the eastern horizon something has been seen." 
" Have they yet apprised Belshazzar our great king ?' 1 

His soldiers, as locusts, stood in numbers there ; 
Why should they change countenance tor battle to 

prepare ? 
With disciplined soldiery and granaries heaped, 
Why borrow trouble for fear of defeat ? 
Thus reasoned Belshazzar in his great pride, 
From the heart-stricken people the panic to hide. 



CHAPTER III. 

VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 

"For naught have you labored, lads," said the 

captain, 
As their morning work noticed he ; 
" Up the river we will not go till after the siege, 
For such, I foresee, there will be." 

Carefully the merchandise was packed away, 
And he proceeded to hire out his crew that very day. 
Naphtali pleasing work had assigned unto him : 
In the beautiful Hanging Gardens he was to begin. 

And, as he walked through the streets of the city, 

With a heart full of love 

And an eye full of pity, 

Mused thus : " If the king secure can feel within 

this wall, 
Why should a shadow o'er our hearts fall ?" 

To all outward appearance, ease and luxury greeted 

his keen eye ; 
In the dust at his feet a golden tassel low did lie, 
From the trappings of some richly-caparisoned horse ; 

b 2* 17 



18 NAPHTALI; OR, THE VOUNQ BONDMAN. 

Stooping to pick it up again, 

The prophetic words of Isaiah to him came: 

" Come down and sit in the dust. . . . 

daughter of the Chaklees." 

Envying not the gay youths that passed him by, 

He gazed on them with a wistful eye, 

For he longed to warn them of danger to come, 

That their golden idols they might lay down. 

Deep down in his heart he hoped that they might 

see, 
Beside the God of Israel, no other God could he. 

Now he approaches the gardens fair, 

To attend his daily labor there ; 

A most beautiful picture meets his eye, — 

Terrace above terrace rising high ; 

All about him floats the sweet perfume of rich 

exotics rare. 
And the sweet singing of the birds ; 
In those gardens fair, 

Pure, soft breezes stir the foliage of the trees; 
Surely, the garden of Eden could no fairer be than 

these. 

But, oh ! no sweating of the brow had ever there 

been found, 
No thought of care or labor, no tilling of the ground. 
And from his people God his countenance did not 

keep. 



VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 19 

Just then a ripe ricli pomegranate 

Fell low down at his feet, 

Interrupting his reverie : it would quench 

His burning thirst, he thought ; 

But Eve's transgression arose within his mind, — 

Had not her sin much trouble brought? 

A rich young nobleman, passing by that way, 
Plucked some of the luscious fruit, and thus to him 

did say, — 
" I trow thou wert thinking of something more 
Than the pomegranate thou hast just passed o'er." 
And he tossed one far more red and rare 
Into the young Jew's hand so fair. 

With his countenance beaming bright, 
Naphtali, looking into his face with pure delight, 
Said, "Thinking I was, my lord, had not Eve 
Listened to the tempter's voice, 
Would not God some day more than made her heart 
rejoice ?" 

"Ah, a Hebrew lad I see thou art ; 
How canst thou believe, not having seen 
This God in whom thou claimest a part?" 

" Thy soul I do not see, my lord, but one I know 

thou hast ; 
Thy God is the great Belus now, but that will not 

always last." 



-20 NAPHTALI; Oh\ THE VOUNQ BONDMAN, 

u 1 >nt , my lad, is Israel's God more powerful 
'Than Belus, who is clothed with the Bun?" 
''Our God, at his command, 

A whole day, still bade the sun to stand." 

" A bold defender 1 see tlum art 

Of this God in whom thou hast a part; 

But tell me this marvellous thine-, when was it done. 

That your great God could stay the sun ?" 

Then the boy, in tones low and sweet, 
The command of Joshua did repeat ; 
Soon adding, with earnestness and worth, — 
" Lord, our .Lord, how excellent is thy name hi all 
the earth !" 

Rut how rash, thought he, this to repeat 

To a Babylonian, I'm sure it is not meet. 

But this young Shethar had a large, good heart ; 

With delight and wonder in these words he took a 

part. 
'• More of these strange, majestic songs, I soon must 

hear ; 
On the morrow to my palace come, — it is quite near." 

" On the morrow to your palace 1 would gladly come, 
But my present master's work I must have done." 
Then the rich young nobleman inquired of he, — 
u Who may thy master, my young lad, now be?" 
"Beriah, my lord, from the city of Es." 



VICTORY OR DIC FEAT f 21 

Tills merchant then, to the young Jew did say, — 

" With me canst thou not come from thy master soon 

away, 
And be the servant of Shethar, rny lad?" 
NaphtalPs young heart now felt glad. 

" I would with groat joy your servant be, 
But my little sister, — what of her, you see? 
I would rather far with Beriah stay 
Than leave her with that cruel master and go 
away." 

"You have a little sister, then ; we must have her 

too." 
A flush on Naphtali's cheeks now grew. 
As soon as the crew up the river went, 
Rachel to Babylon would be sent. 
Naphtali his new master now obeyed, 
For soon the changes had been made. 

Shethar with deep interest listens now 

To the wonderful history of the young Jew, 

And he notes it down on tablets of clay 

With an iron pen, henceforward to stay. 

The despised casket Naphtali unlocks with a magical 

key; 
Now inexhaustible wealth in those heart-stirring 

songs he doth see. 



22 NAPHTALI', Oh\ THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

In all the lore of pries! and scribe, 
The like he had never heard j 
Those sweet songs and chants of David 
His very bou! now stirred. 

Naphtali, he thought, must learn 

To accompany his voice with the lyre, 

So he bade him go for the instrument, 
That sweet music his voice might acquire. 

But no sooner had lie obeyed his lord's command 
Than he saw in the glittering sunlight 

o a a 

The enemy near at hand. 

Descending quickly from the house-top with the lyre, 
He informed his master that the enemy was 
Approaching the vast plains oi' Shinar, 

And would soon reach the city walls. 
At the king's command every one to his post now 
falls. 

The young nobleman full well knew 

There was one among the number would prove true. 

Shethar hastens now away 

At the command oi* the king, his order to obey. 
His young favorite he appoints a shield io wear ; 
A coat of armor, and a sword he'll bear. 

Naphtali takes his place in the gorgeous chariot as 
one in a dream, 



VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 2;> 

And nearer and yel nearer the martial strains of music 

to him seem. 
The bright pennons now float gayly in the breeze, 
Heady for a grand festival, instead of carnage, 

seemeth these. 
]>ut now the chariots into ready line do fall, 
While horsemen swift and spearmen conn; marching 

all. 
As the incoming tide of the ocean, 
The Persians steadily advance, 
And the beautifully-equipped horses, 
In their delight gayly prance. 

The chanting of the priests with the holy fire, 

Can almost now be heard ; 

And the vast body of light-armed troops 

With archers and chariots now are stirred. 

Now quivers the golden eagle of Cyrus in the light, 

As if pluming its wings for victory in the coming light. 

A vision of little Rachel's face to Naphtali came, 
And, brushing off a blinding tear, — 
" Shall I see her e'er again ?" 

With a firmer grasp he clinched the huge iron shield, 
And then began the battle that ensued upon the field. 
Within the walls the Babylonians hastily retreat 

again, 
While Shethar's horses, with his fallen charioteer, 
Lie dying on the plain. 



'jj .v.i/7/7'.!/,/; on, Tin: TOUNQ BONDMAN. 

Shethar leaves the field without a single wound ; 
But an arrow pierced the young shield-bearer, 
Leaving a slight but unprotected one. 

Loud lamentations greet them now on every Bide, 

While the tearful prophecies iu Naphtali's heart 
abide. 

u But," thought he, 4i were it not tor this slight twinge 

of pain, 

This terrible battle would seem almost like a dream." 



All over the city reeklessness ami revelry did endure. 
But within those strong invineible walls 

Belshauar felt himself secure. 

Had they not enough provisions 

Laid up tor twenty years ? 

Why should they then afflict themselves 

With needless oares and tears? 

A- months passed by, the besieging army 
Labored all in vain. 
Their battering-rams of assault 
Against the strong walls eame. 

Yet those strong walls seemed impervious 
To every fierce attack, 

And in bitter disappointment 
The Persians were kept back. 



VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 25 

Naphtali learned to wake sweet strains upon the lyre, 
And his progress was watched with growing interest 
By young Shethar. 

But one day a great trial to him came 
That gave him much anxiety and pain. 
His master gave to him a song to learn 
That shocked his inmost soul in return. 

" Thou shall have no other Gods before me." 

He wanted still his master to obey, 
But he must put those heathen songs away ; 
He resolved not to do the wicked thing, 
And with a resolute heart a denial to his lips did 
bring. 

Gaining admittance to his presence, now 
Before his master Naphtali low did bow, 
Saying, " I have a favor great to ask of thee : 
I cannot learn those songs thou gavest me. 
My lord, thou knowest I was born a Jew. 
I beg pardon, but those songs I cannot sing, — 
Songs dedicated to your heathen god and king." 

Shethar's countenance fell, and to the young Jew he 

did say, — 
" Your post of honor shall be taken from you this 

day. 
B 3 



26 NAPHTALI} OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

From my presence, unthankful boy, 
You now must go, 
And among my menials your plaee 
Henceforth you shall know." 

As, with a bursting heart, Naphtali turned away, 

His bandaged limb his master saw, 

And to him thus did say, — 

" I acknowledge you have faithful been in every task 

Assigned to you except the last ; 

Soon as your rash words you repent 

Back to your post you shall be sent." 

With meekness in his tone, now Naphtali spoke, — 
" My lord, among your menials I will gladly work; 
Hut, oh, my lord, 1 cannot take again 
Words that have given me much pain." 

The firmness of the boy, She thar could not help but see, 
And honor stamped upon his brow he felt would 
ever be. 

With a clear conscience, but a heavy heart, 

lie hung up his lyre ; 

Full well he knew the other slaves 

On his young lite would jar. 

lie must leave the magnificent halls, 

And with spade and hoe 

Among the sun-bronzed laborers forth must go. 



VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 27 

He being the nobleman's favorite, 

They had regarded him long with a jealous eye. 

What could he now expect of them ? 

But to be faithful he would ever try. 

Many jeering questions would greet him on every 

side ; 
But with the God of Israel he could his sorrows hide. 
As days and weeks passed by, 
Their friendship he had won ; 
Oft with deeds of kindness, to him they now would 

come. 

One he found among this motley number 
Who made his young heart glad : 
This Ishbak showed in his very face 
Some Jewish traits he had. 

The piercing gaze of his jet-black eye, 
And the far-sighted look that in it did lie, 
The compressed lips and outline 
That his whole countenance had, 
Showed an unsubdued and proud spirit 
That rebelled in this young lad. 

A Jew intellectually, he believed in God 
As a mighty king ; 
But those grand prophetic strains 
That filled Naphtali's bleeding heart 
No comfort to him did bring. 



28 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

He knew nothing of God as a loving 

Father and unseen friend ; 

No wonder the dark cloud of captivity 

Had not one rift of blue for him. 

The past, he saw, was impenetrable gloom. 

But Naphtali's range was wider ; 

Often pure light to him would come. 

Two years now had passed away 

Since with uncongenial friends he had to stay. 

At last his daily labor was growing irksome, 

But the rifts in the clouds would widen, he thought, 

ere long. 
Many leisure hours he had spent in writing, 
On tablets of plastic brick, David's sweet song. 

So the great God led him up to manhood, 
And in after years he realized in very truth 
How good a thing it is to bear the yoke in youth. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 

Naphtali and his fellow-laborers were 
Excavating an artificial pond one day ; 
While talking among themselves, 
Each to the other thus did say : 

" This night at the king's palace a great feast there 

will be, 
With a thousand lords ; among them our master you 

will see." 

" I wonder how the king's heart can be so merry, 
When such great danger is near at hand." 
" Nothing worth mention have we seen as yet, 
But still the besiegers are not idle in our land." 
" Except the defeat in the outset, a different story 
These two years have told." 
" You'll find they are not working in vain 
As all this digging will unfold." 

"Indeed," exclaimed the first speaker, 

" Since you are so wise, you may be able to tell 

when 
This work of spading and digging will end." 

8* 29 



30 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Ishbak answered with a look of haughty disdain, 
But to Naphtali, as yet, these words 
Gave neither trouble nor pain. 

But with terrible force they were to come to him 

soon : 
As he lay on his couch that night, 
A sudden cry of alarm did to him come. 

" To arms ! fight for your lives ! the enemy at last 

Has entered the gate ; 

For plunder and destruction at the palace 

Of the king they wait." 

Is it a dream, a terrible nightmare, 

That rouses Naphtali from his slumber there ? 

Ah, no ; the clatter of armor, the aimless 

Running hither and thither, 

And the piercing cries from the street, — 

All confirm the worst apprehensions ; 

The enemy they now must meet. 

Why, his master at the king's palace too would be ! 
He would wear his coat of armor and hasten there 

to see. 
Quick to the armory he runs, his coat of mail puts 

on; 
Seizing sword and shield, out in the street is gone. 

Hastening to the king's palace, through 
By-ways and thick shrubbery he goes 



THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 31 

With noiseless footsteps ; the Persian soldiers 
Have not yet discovered him, he knows. 

" But, hark ! was that the wind rustling among the 

• trees ?" 
Distinct, yet more distinct, now grows the sound. 
Dark forms pass close beside him, as breathless with 

suspense 
He crouches in the shadow low upon the ground. 

" Ho ! comrades, is not this for the Medes 

And Persians a most glorious night ? 

Who would have thought to turn the river, 

Who but our great commander in the fight? 

All covered are the treasures there," he hears them 

say, 
As the retreating sound of their footsteps dies away. 

He hastens on with swifter steps and 
Enters the almost deserted halls ; 
But, oh, the awful sight that meets his eye ! 
For mercy, the lofty colonnades seem 
Supplicating heaven, with arms 
Outstretched on high. 

Naphtali shudders as he recognizes here and there 
Some bleeding, wounded face ; 
Could it be that his dear master lay dying 
Here in such a place ? 



32 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Quickly from room to room he hastens 

Until, by the sudden gleam of a dying torch, 

He Lord Shethar spies, 

For much of pain and misery the awful darkness 

hides. 
His master's bleeding wounds he binds 
And a quiet resting-place for him finds. 
The dark clouds and gloom now shade the night ; 
Naphtali watches beside his master until the morning 

light. 

All about him lay the bodies of the slain. 

Ever and anon from distant halls 

The wails and moans of the dying came. 

" Can such destructive work perform God's will ?" 

Yet he cannot doubt the prophecy, trusting still : 

" God's ways are past finding out." 

" But how had the besiegers entered the city ?" 
Then the words of the soldiers came to 
His mind with wonderful force ; 
He remembered now how they spoke 
Of the river being turned in its course. 

" Though mighty as Cyrus, how could a man 
Move the great stream ?" 
Perplexity and doubt trouble his mind, — 
" What does it mean ?" 



THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 33 

This was the longest and dreariest night 

He ever had known ; 

What if his master should die before dawn? 

He bends his ear, and low, still breathings from him 

come ; 
" Cast thy burden upon the Lord" 
Come the words from David's song. 

" You are faithful, my boy, to stand by 

Your master in such an hour. 

Who but your Israel's God could have given you 

such power ? 
Ah ! Naphtali, your God is a great God 
Indeed ; we have seen his power this night. 
Listen, I will tell you about it before the morning 

light. 
Belshazzar from the temple of your God 
His table with gold and silver graced, 
Praising our gods before to his lips these sacred cups 

he placed. 
And, oh, Naphtali, I took one in my 
Hand and touched it with my impious lips ; 
Pray to your God, I beseech you, 
That he will pardon me this." 

A distant sound from some corridor came 
Of a fellow-sufferer writhing in pain. 
Groping about in the glimmering light of the com- 
ing dawn 



34 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

To the place where the sound arises, 
Naphtali hastens on. 

He lifts the mangled and bleeding forms one by 

one 
Until, unscathed by a single wound, 
He raises a drooping soldier from almost a living 

tomb. 
Nothing but the motions of the Persian soldier 
Can Naphtali understand, 
But he hopes to find in him 
One whom he can command. 

So he points with earnest gestures and all 

The beseeching eloquence of a Jewish eye, 

Thus he draws him to his wounded master's side 

near by. 
The soldier, glad to prove his gratitude, 
In broken Assyrian now, 
More plainly shows his willingness 
And to Naphtali's wishes bow. 

A Persian soldier he has rescued, it is true ; 

But what is nationality in such a place ? 

The warrior recognizes in him a deliverer ; 

Bound by one common tie in suffering 

Is all the human race. 

A rough litter soon they form 

And tenderly place Naphtali's master thereon. 



THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 35 

That the rich nobleman may attract no curious 

eye, 

The Persian soldier throws his cloak 

Around him as they hastily pass by. 

Out of the charnel-house they bear him 

To the street below, 

Through the disordered troops, to Shethar's home 
they go. 

Now Shethar's eye's grow wild with anxious 
fear, 

For not a living soul of all his household doth ap- 
pear. 

His head droops heavily, and the 

Bearers pause now in dismay, 

For the plunderers have borne his wife 

And little son away. 

Is there nothing left to give a clue 

To their sad fate? 

Naphtali, with an anxious look, 

Bids the Persian soldier wait. 

The soldier a rough exterior had, 

But also a kindly heart. 

Naphtali, with a lady's robe and a 

Child's necklace, bids him now depart. 

Pointing to his master, he places the bauble 
In the soldier's hand ; 

As his eye wanders through the desolate halls, 
He easilv understands. 



36 X.irUTM I; Oh\ THE FOUNQ BONDMAN, 

Naphtali thinks it doubtful 

Whether soldier or garment again he'll see, 

Bui a thought flashes through his mind, — 

u It possibly yet may be 

That the lady and child will 

Be recovered in this way." 

Shethar's fain! voice breaks the silence: 

•' Have you heard of my loved ones, pray ?" 

" For your innocent, helpless ones. God will tenderly 

eare. 
And your great sorrow with you he will surely 
share." 

" Say uot so : 1 have offended your just God, you see ; 
And our great Belos, he has forsaken me." 
" Oh, my lord, he is merciful and just 
If in him we only put our trust." 

M Oh, eould 1 hear of my loved ones again ! 
' Ks but another punishment from your God, this 
pain." 

" Wait," says Naphtali, " till the tumult 

Has quieted down, 

And perhaps your loved ones tor you will bo found." 

'• Naphtali, the bright side vou always see : 

Hut listen, the rest of mv story 1 will tell to thee. 



THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 37 

Scarce had we sipped from the sacred cups, 
When before us came the fingers of a hand 
Writing strange, awful words : 
[m mediately in every heart a dreadful (car was 

stirred. 
Belshazzar quaked with awful fear 

When this Strange vision did appear, — 

' Mene, Mene, Tekel UpharsinJ 

"In amazement I looked upon these words 

That shone so bright ; 

Never before in all my researches had I 3een 

Such dazzling light. 

"Now among the astrologers that wen; 
Quickly summoned lo come, 

Not one could interpret this writing 

In the banquet-room. 

]>nt the queen-dowager of Daniel's fame had heard, 

And to the king's palace she hastened with this 

word. 
r l ne interpretation thereof Daniel soon did give. 
Never till my dying day can I the look outlive 
That rested upon the face of Belshazzar the king 
When Daniel the meaning thereof to him did bring. 

The king brought forth the scarlei robe for him to 

wear, 
With the golden chain, and the third ruler 
Made him in his kingdom fair. 



38 NAPHTALI} OR. THE VOUNQ BONDMAN. 

Tho rest of the story, Naphtali, you well know, — 
How the enemy slow our king and did into his 
palace go» w 

Through the whole of Shethar's reoital Naphtali 
saw, 

Ami, as his master paused, exclaimed, with reveren- 
tial awe, — 

M God I how great is thy majesty ! 

I loir terrible arc thy judgments!" 

At the decline oi' the sotting- sun, 
Shethar bade Naphtali to the house-top goj 
Very anxious the nobleman was to know 
llow the city fared below. 

The strange appearance of the groat river 

Was the firs! thing that attracted Naphtali's eye; 

The soldier's remark came again to his mind, — 

About turning tho rivor dry. 

Cyrus through the river-bed 

Sad found an entrance into the city, 

Where he had groat dost mot ion made 

And showed DO signs of pity. 

A> he passed the corridor, he a glimpse 

Oi the soldier has soon, 

Minus robe and nooklaoo : 

In one hand iron fetters, and a soroll 

In tho other, ho doth brinfr 



THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 39 

'Tie an order for the Babylonian to lay down his 

arms 
And swear allegiance to the Persian king; 
Then his slaves, his wife, and child, to him they'll 

bring; 

And a high reward shall also be given 

To him who has saved the life of a Persian : 
Otherwise, in arms they henceforth must slay 
Until the conqueror they learn to obey. 

The oath of allegiance, with troubled brow, 
The proud Babylonian signed now. 
Naphtali his hand (<> the parchment gives, 
.P>nt no reward from them will receive. 

From bondage his loved ones soon are released, 

And again l<> his household cometh peace. 



CH a r r k k v. 

RH'NP iv: tS, 

'Is 

V ) 

ttl< K ./ \ 

Iv. 

g 

With 

•• 11. 



BOUND FOR THE err)' OF IS, \\ 

As she watohes the Btrips of I >1 n** 
In the distance fade away, 

The thought arises in her mind, — 

"Oh, how long will he stay?" 

Every day that has past 

Since tWO Long years ago, 

She has lived oyer the last good-by 

Of the brother that loved her so. 

How tenderly he whispered that sweet word u Mix- 
pah," 
Telling her he would repeat it every night 
As soon as the first evening star 
Should put forth its shimmering light. 

Little Rachel was thinking still of the blue waters 
Thai bore him far away, 

As she hastily descended from the roof that day. 

Losing her balance, the whole Length 

From the top she fell • 

And of the result the future soon will (ell. 

Naphtali cannot now contented he 

While Shetlmr's promise remembers he, 

That from Beriah little Rachel should be bought,— 

'Twas day and night his constant thought. 

t • 



42 NAPHFALI; OR, THE VOUXG BONDMAX. 

Strengthened by prayer, he resolved to go 
And let his sympathizing master know 
That he wanted now to redeem his sister dear, 
Although to him the way did not seem clear. 

With his master's permission in earnest he was bent, 
And straightway on his labor of love he went. 

u Naphtali, yon have well earned your sister's free- 
dom and your own 
Since into my household yon have come; 
Under the Persian yoke yon yet must be. 
But from Babylonian slavery I will set yon tree." 

Keen sorrow mingled now with joy, 

As Naphtali bade his master adieu. 

It would weary US to follow him day by day 

I lis tiresome journey through. 

Everywhere his eye rested upon the devastating 

army's reign ; 
Here and there were trodden fields and barren wastes 

of grain. 

The river, too, seemed a conquered thing to be 

Since Cyrus 1 triumph o'er the city he did see. 

An entrance into the city of Belshazzar's pride they 

had found ; 
The prophecies must be fulfilled and God's word 

abound. 



BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 43 

To the deep, " Be dry !" he had said ; 
"For Cyrus I will dry up the river's bed ; 
Cyrus, my shepherd, as he waits, 
Before him will open the two-leaved gates." 

No wonder that Naphtali's hopes for his captive 

nation grew 
As through the unsettled country his tedious journey 

he did pursue. 

At last, in spite of his many detentions, 

He reached the city of Is. 

" In almost three years how little Rachel must have 

changed !" 
These thoughts were his. 

A soldier informed him that Beriah's family 
As captives had been taken far away. 
" What ! not all the Hebrew captives?" 
Exclaimed Naphtali in dismay. 

" A little cripple here I think you'll find, 
Whom with our captain they have left behind." 

"This little cripple is a stranger unto me; 
My sister was beautiful and strong, you see." 

As the heavy footsteps of the soldier die away, 
A faint sound of music cometh to his ear : 



-11 NAPBTALI; OR, THE TOUNQ BONDMAN. 

" A table thou prepares! before me in (he presence 
of mine enemies," 

Canto the sweet words soft and clear. 

Wondering much at the low, pathetic voice he heard, 

Thoughts of his own sweet little sister in his heart 
were stirred. 

Opening wide the door, inside the court ho quickly 

stands ; 
Busily engaged at work with the distaff in her 

hands, 

In the midst of a group of soldiers who were gath- 
ered round. 

Singing those sweet touching songs, little Rachel there 
he found. 

With mingled joy and sorrow he beheld her sitting- 
there, — 
11 is fragile little sister, once so strong and fair. 

u The sweet song of the singer has brought me here; 
Dost thou recognize thy brother, Rachel dear?" 

That tall, bearded man whom she just now has seen 
Cannot be Naphtali : it must surely be a dream. 

But stooping down to clasp her in his strong embrace. 
With joy she smiles upon her loving brother's face. 



BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 45 

His unceremonious entrance the soldiers now alarm ; 
Their captain quick is sent for to keep them safe 

from harm. 
As the captain enters, there Naphtali stands : 
A look of recognition, and both stretch forth their 

hands. 

Enhanced by a grateful heart, the soldier friendship 

shows; 
Unto whom but this Hebrew lad is it his life he 

owes ? 

"I can ne'er express my thanks for your kindness 

to my loved one." 
" I am glad," exclaimed Harmeter, " something for 

you to have done." 

" But," said the Persian, " how can it be 
So far from Babylon I you see ?" 

" My little sister I came to seek," Naphtali said ; 
u And to redeem her for a ransom, I hither have 
been led." 

"Think you, from my deliverer a ransom I would 

take? 
Freely now I give her up for your own dear sake. 

" A high price, indeed, would the sweet girl command 
If I sold her as a slave, away from my own hand." 



4t> XAPHTALI: Oh\ Till-: YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Naphtali's grateful thanks to Harmeter lie then gave. 
u No thanks, for what ean equal the gift 
Of a lite that has been saved?" 

On the following morn, Xaphtali and his sister 

started away ; 
On the long journey to Babylon, they slowly travelled 

day by day. 

The scrip that Rachel carried dropped low unto the 

ground, 
And among the scattered contents much golden coin 

was found. 

The kind Harmeter had remembered them with care : 
It was his thoughtfulness, they knew, 
Had plaeed the money there. 

For little Rachel, Naphtaii had been mueh con- 

eerned ; 
There was no way of going down the river, — 
This mueh he had learned. 

So he purchased two gentle mules for them to travel 

on, 
And joined a caravan bound for Babylon. 

Pausing now and then to rest as their weary way they 

keep, 
Scattered here and there the white tents look like 

sheep. 



BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 47 

Beside a cooling stream where the lofty palm-trees 

rise 
Is a place for rest and comfort under the desert skies. 

Naphtali, seeing his sister's face beaming bright, 
Said, " What art thou thinking of that makes thy 
heart so light ?" 

"I was thinking of those sweet songs which David 

sung; 
In some fair spot like this, they must have to him 



" Or one far more beautiful," Naphtali said ; 

" I have heard good Ithamar speak of the deep 

ravines 
And grand hills where our forefathers were fed. 
The fairest scenes soon weary one by their monotony 

here, 
Yet these endless plains seem to rest me 
And make me think of eternity near." 

"Naphtali, before my lameness came to me 

I longed from bondage to be free ; 

I never thought so much of God and rest, 

But only of fleeing to you, whom I loved best. 

And now in his great wisdom he has sent you back 

to me ; 
Through his love and mercy we cannot always see. 



48 NAPHTALIj OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

I know he leadeth me by pastures green; 

This so often I have seen. 

•Surely goodness will follow me all my days, 

And may I dwell in the house of the Lord always." 

" My little Rachel has learned to trust her Father 
As she could not once, I see. 

Ah, Rachel, that last wish of thine, I hope will be, 
To dwell in the house of the Lord forever, realized 
by thee." 

Thus it was that each the other's faith strengthened 

day by day, 
As they journeyed on their long and tedious way. 

Naphtali pointed out the depredations the enemy had 

done ; 
And little Rachel shuddered when she thought 
Of the active part through which he too had come. 

" The broken walls of Jerusalem I long to see 
Built up again : oh. what a glorious day that will be! 
1 cannot help wishing that 1 may see 
The fulfilment of the prophecy." 

Little Rachel sighed as a beautiful gazelle bounded 
past, 

And said, "I long for the time when blind eyes 
Shall be opened and deaf ears unstopped at last." 






BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 49 

" The lame man shall leap as an hart" 

Naphtali was touched by the childlike faith 

That in Rachel had a part ; 

But the great God was drawing her 

To his tender and loving heart. 



CHAPTER VI. 



When to the nobleman's palace they were led, 
[shbak, the Jew, to Naphtali said, — 

u Have you the great news about Daniel heard? 
A inono- the Medes and Persians jealousy was stirred. 

u ' For thirty days no request to God or man 

Might any bring,' — 

Thus read their unchangeable law,- 

* Save unto the king f 



u For into the lion's den they should be east 
Whosoever disobeyed this law that now was passed. 

u But Daniel, the favorite, went openly io pray, 
And low beside his window knelt he, three times a 
day. 

" Troubled in his mind was Darius the king 
When this sad news to him the messenger did bring. 

u But the decree already had been passed, 

Ami into the lion's den Daniel must be east. 
50 



THE KING'S DECREE. 5} 

"All night long, while he his prayers to God did 

bring, 
The music that the people played failed to please the 

king. 

" Early in the morning the king hastened to the 

lion's den, 
To see if any deliverance God had brought to him. 

"Oh, how delighted then to find that God had kept 

lii in safe ! 
Of harm the lions did to him, found they not any 
trace. 

"Now so enraged with those wicked men was lie 
Who against Daniel had plotted and urged on this 

strange decree, 
" Into the lion's den then those wicked men he cast, 
With their wives and children, to be devoured at 

last. 

" For no angel of the Lord was there to intercede, 
And on them the hungry lions greedily did feed." 

"But what effect/' replied Naphtali, 
"Had this deliverance on our king?" 

" To all people and nations proclaimed he this, 
That Daniel's God the one living and true God is. 



52 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

" Also he decreed that in every part of his kingdom 
Men should fear and tremble before this Daniel's 

friend, 
Whose dominion and whose signs on earth shall have 

no end." 

" Oh, Ishbak, what glorious news this is to hear ! 
The Lord of hosts a God of justice is, and one to 
fear." 

In the nobleman's household Naphtali and Rachel 

Had spent a pleasant year : 

As months passed on in their quiet and pleasant 

home, 
There was nothing more to fear. 
Naphtali and Rachel among God's chosen few, 
A " remnant," still to be numbered, was the Jew. 

Adversity and prosperity alike had strengthened 
Their well-grounded trust, 
Since their residence in Babylon 
News they had to confirm their faith 
In this God so just. 

They had heard the wonderful story of the book of 

Jeremiah, 
That he had sent to the captive nations years ago, 
How the great priuce Seraiah had brought it to 

Babylon 



THE KfNQ'S DECREE. 53 

And, after reading the prophecies concerning the 

doomed city, 
Into the Euphrates it did throw. 

Signifying how great should one day be the fall 
Of the mighty capital. 

Yet ever from these terrible judgments, 
As from the stagnant pool arises the lily white, 
This captive nation hoped that redemption 
Would one day come to them aright. 

One day, in the market-place, a great 
Concourse of people did Naphtali see ; 
Curious the cause to learn, he inquired 
If Cyrus had issued a new decree. 

" That he has," replied a stranger ; 

" But hark, can you not hear ?" 

The shrill trumpet again commanded silence, 

And the startling words were near : 

" Who is among you of all God's people, 
Up to Jerusalem let him go." 
Thus Cyrus, king of Persia, 
Astonished the multitude below. 

But in all the vast concourse, there was 
Not a heart with deeper joy now filled 
6* 



f,l NAPHTALI; OR, THE VOUNQ BONDMAN, 

Than Naphtali'a: he had bo wonderfully 
Sim the propheoies fulfilled, 

His eagerness to tell Rachel the wonderful deoree 
Outstripped his Beet steps; but yonder [shbak he 
doth see. 

Telling his glad news to another brought to him 

relief. 
But this proud [shbak oould not share in his belief. 

Strange it was how this gloomy man 
Would find Saws In everything, 
44 Out of love to Uraol, do you suppose, 
This did our king?" 

Naphtali replied, u Mow could it otherwise have 

boon. 

With the noble Daniel in oourl his influence to 

haul ?" 

From the pressure of r&hbak's leaden words, 
Napluali's bright hopeful nature soon is stirred, 

A more congenial friend in Rachel's sympathy he 

finds, 
Words more pleasing and suited to his mind, 

•• \Yhv," exclaimed she, with her oheeks all aglow, 
•• 1 did not think of the blessing coming to us so% >J 



77/ a; KIX&'S DECREE 55 

(i My heart yearns lil<<- :i living coal nj» to Jerusalem 

to go." 
u And mine, too," replied Rachel ; " but, 
A I am a cripple, how can if- be so ?" 

Willi tenderness replied Naphtali, 
" Y«»u must not grieve; 
My sister here In Babylon 
I will never leave." 

Just then a message from Shethar to him was 



brought, 



Ami Rachel was left to her own perplexing thought. 



CHAPTER VII. 

JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 

Onward pressed the Jewish band 
From the banks of Chebais : 
Forty-and-two thousand three hundred 
And threescore souls were these. 

Maids and servants besides seven thousand 
Three hundred and thirty-seven, 
Then two hundred singing-men and singing-women 
For funeral-rites and marriage-feasts were given. 

Horses, camels, and asses increased the caravan 
And bore its treasure ; 

The priests, the Levites, and the singers waited 
To consecrate these offerings with pleasure. 

In Babylon, never had there a more joyful gathering 

been ; 
In all the great metropolis, more zealous advocates 
The Jewish faith had never seen. 

The vessels of God's house they had taken 
From the heathen temple at Cyrus's command ; 
56 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 57 

In all the long years of captivity 

They had been guarded by God's own hand. 

For hfe chosen people, his providential care 
How could they doubt ? 
All things in readiness were for them 
On the morrow to start out. 

The veil of twilight was fast falling o'er the city ; 

Naphtali watched its palaces and temples 

Till all was hid beneath the mantle of night in pity. 

Of the fated city, Naphtali now was thinking, — 
How, in the coming days, it should be levelled to 

the dust; 
From the dreadful downfall he longed to save it, 
But what could he do more than trust ? 

Many a heart beat in like emotion 
That night for the beautiful city; 
Who can say but, in answer to prayer, 
Its destruction was delayed in pity ? 

With the first gleam of dawn the Israelites 
Awoke, in line to form ; 

And, ere the scorching heat of the noonday sun, 
Many miles on their way were gone. 

Let us look over the familiar faces, and see 
If, beside Naphtali's, the sunny face of Rachel there 
will be. 



58 NAPIITALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Among the many singers Naphtali is numbered 

there, 
And with good old Zilpah Rachel a place doth share. 
Among the children of Azgad, Ishbak will be found 
In the great concourse of people marching up to 

Jerusalem's ground. 

When the decree of Cyrus reached the nobleman's 

ear, 
Of Naphtali's going he could not bear to hear. 
He had a sad and troubled heart 
When, with his favorite, he found that he must part. 

Now rich offerings Shethar for him proposed. 

But the nobleman's gifts they would be ; 

And on God's altar his all he must lay, thought he. 

Let us march onward and to the great company 

cling, 
Now with Zilpah and Rachel our first day's journey 

bring. 
I doubt whether in all that great caravan, 
As their way they wend, 
There were two happier souls than Zilpah and her 

friend. 

With growing interest Rachel listened to the mother 

of Israel 
While her good stories she would tell. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 59 

The thrilling strains of song that came 
From the distant choir 
Seemed like the chiming of bells, 
And did her poetic mind inspire. 

But good old Zilpah could nothing hear 
Save the tramping of feet that were very near, 
While she talked oft of her happy home 
Where in her youthful days she loved to roam. 

Telling them of the flocks she tended, 
Of the beautiful olive-trees 
Dotted all about her father's house 
On the hill-side near were these. 

"Oh, my child, I cannot tell you how dear 
To my aged heart it seems, — 
This home of my childhood, from which 
I an exile long have been. 

" Oh, could I but see those beautiful hills and dales 

again ! 
But perhaps, like myself, not many of their charms 

remain. 

" There is naught in the land of exile 

Could with those hills compare ; 

But 'tis seventy years since the destroyer came, — 

Who can tell what changes may be there ? 



60 NAPHTALIj OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

" If my eyes but behold Carmel and Lebanon again, 
I shall feel that my journey lias not been in vain. 

4k I >nt I will weary yon with my babblings of by- 
gone yea re." 
"Of your capture, can yon not tell me, 
From your home where yon knew no fears ?" 

"Thinking of trials borne long ago 
Brings to the hear! new trust ; 
Tell yon of that fearful night, 

Yes, dear child, 1 must." 

"I never thought, " replied Rachel, " the memory 
Of past troubles could ever joyous be." 
u Profitable if not pleasant, they may surely prove, 
you'll Bee. 

tk Before my story I begin, 

That sweet psalm of David let me hear you sing." 

"Most gladly I will : a new world it opened unto 

me ; 
It is my favorite; I call it the golden key." 

That sweet song now charmed another listener's 

car : 
kl Am I always to find you by that glorious chant, 

sister dear?" 



JOUR A' E > / N(i TO JEM USA L EM. (J 1 

She watched Naphtali with sisterly love and pride, 
The same thoughtful brother lie was now ever near 
her side. 

There in the sultry noontide, they sought 

The shade and cooling si ream, 

As they did when on their way to Babylon, 

It to Rachel seemed. 

A\u\ with grateful hearts recounted they 
God's mercy to Ids chosen race. 

" Is it not wonderful," said Rachel, "how 

lie cares for each and every one in his place?" 

Zilpah quiokly replied, " Great love; and pity indeed 

has he : 
Let me tell you how graeiously he has dealt with 

me. 

"It may strengthen, in the great God of Israel, your 

< rust ; 
My whole story rings out with thanksgiving 

To him who I know is just. 

' lie, leadeth me beside the dill waters.' 

The picture of my joyous childhood seems to he 

mirrored there, 
For my young life was filled with all things bright 

and fair. 
In the latter part of King Josiah's reign 1 was horn, 



62 NAPHTALI} OR, THE VOUNQ BONDMAN. 

When all the idols of his predecessors from the 

temple had been lorn, 
And once more Judah had taken 

The one ivuv God to mle supreme 
Daring the reign of Josiah our king." 

u Your words remind me, good Zilpah, 

Of It hamar's glowing accounts of eaeh happy year. 

Talking of God's mercies while in King Josialrs 

reign, 

A bright light in his dim eye would appear. 

" Even behind the dark oloud of captivity 
The tender, pitying face of our Father shines ; 
lie to anger slow, and plenteous in mercy is; 
Not willingly doth he afflict any children of his. 

" Would that Ithamar this glorious day had lived to 

see T 

"But better tar," replied Zilpah, " with God his 

King to be. 
4 1 am sick,' the inhabitants in that land shall never 

say." 

Followed now a long silence, for each 

Was thinking o{' his loved ones 

In that land so far away, — 

So far, and yet so near that one little breath 

Withdrawn might waft us there. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. (J3 

Sweet, sad thoughts of the better land 
Bring our loved ones to us near. 

" I had almost forgotten my story, 

For in spirit I seemed thither to glide, 

But I will continue if you are interested enough 

To keep elose by my side. 

" My father was a zealous and devoted Jew, 
And by birth 'twas my mother's religion too. 

"But she was brought up in a family 
Where the god of Baal was adored ; 
Through the influence of my father, 
She learned to worship the one true Lord. 

" Ofttimcs ever afterwards, he would say, 
More than her teacher learned she 
The great God to worship and obey. 

" No wonder I learned to worship God 
In the atmosphere of this home, where I grew 
In the daily observance of our beautiful religion that 
I knew. 

" The God of Israel I thought I loved 
With my whole heart; 
The trial of my faith was yet to come, 
But with that thought I now must part. 



C 1 .v.i /•///'. I/./,- on, Tin: roUNQ BONDMAN. 

" Mv mother by death from me soon was railed 

away : 

When 1 was hoi twelve years old, 
Willi me she oould no longer stay. 

u Her foster-parents, Hilkiaji and A.bi, 
From Jerusalem did come ; 
Although worshippers oi' Baal, 
They wished to take me to their home. 

u A striking resemblance to my mother they did see. 
Then they begged permission that they might adopt 
me. 

u )$o zealous in religion was I, for one of my years, 

That, to temptation I might yield, my father bad no 
fears. 

So with words of affection he bade me a kind fare- 
well, 

My native hills I left, in the city henceforth to dwell. 

41 To the beautiful city, Jerusalem, I went. 

Only a short, time had passed, when news to me was 

sent 
Of my lather's death ; but again I was 

More hitter trials to know 

That would make my heart oVrllow. 

lie had been Btruok by the falling of a forest-tree, 

And not one parting word had he left tor me. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. gg 

"Those eight years that followed my thirteenth 
summer, how very sad ! 

Yet outwardly I had all things to mala; my sad heart 

glad. 

u Everything they (ton Id, to mala; my sorrow less, 

my foster-parents did. 
Learning to love, the display of the heathen temples, 

there was no one lo forbid. 

My face from my father's God fumed I then away, 
And the unreal god of an evil imagination learned 
I to obey," 



ri^ 



Tears were now streaming down her withered, 

wrinkled cheek ; 
]5ut Rachel's heart was too full of sympathy to 

speak. 
Tenderly she stroked the while hair of her ag6d 

friend 
That now in bonds of love with her own heart did 

blend. 

Naphtali's eyes wandered from the shining desert 
To the soft clouds floating overhead ; 

He thought how silently they had risen 

From their gloomy bed. 

Jle marked how, o'er rock and hank, 

Fell the little stream that whitened at bis feet, 

e 



G6 NAPHTALI} OR, THE TOXJNQ BONDMAN. 

And how the very weeds rivalled the freshness 
Of the stately palms complete. 

The beauty of penitential grief came to his mind 

with striking force ; 
From the morass, the fresh cloud with the living 

green 
Seemed to bear a new impress of the great God in 
its course. 

Perceiving that an effort to relate her story had 

become, 
They begged her the rest of her narrative to postpone. 

Naphtali to his companion singers then returned, 

Impatient he, at even necessary delay while they 
sojourned. 

But scarcely had they concluded their last song 
When from Zerubbabel came the order to march on. 

Joyfully Naphtali hastened to lend 
Old Zilpahand Rachel aid; 

J>ut he would not find the little white tent, he was 
afraid. 

Hurrying to a hillock of hardened sand close by, 
Not a single tent remained, as o'er the oasis Naphtali 
cast his eve. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. (;j 

Jn much anxiety with the moving caravan travelled 

be along; 
"Would he once again find Rachel/' 
He wondered, " \>y that psalm?" 

Ah ! there was Ishbak, who at once his anxiety 

relieved, — 
Rachel and Zilpah had kind attention at his hand 

received. 

While exchanging their mutual inquiries, 

[shbak unnoticed into the crowd was gone, 

And they saw him not again for many days to come. 

Nothing from a prosperous journey that day them 

did keep, 
And at nightfall they rested under his eye 
Who neither slumber knows nor sleep. 

The following day, as their journey they still pursue, 
Rachel was delighted at Zilpah's proposal her story 
to renew. 

" He restoreth my .soul: he leadeth me in, the paths of 

righteousness for his name's sake" 

" T had not begun, my dear young friends, 

To relate the way the Good Shepherd ' restored my 

-onl.' 



38 NAPHTALI} 0R % THE TOUNQ BONDMAN. 

Tenderly he sought his wandering sheep, 
And through love led me back to the fold. 

44 During the wicked Jehoiakim's reign, 

The great Nebuchadnezzar first up to Jerusalem oame. 

44 Ai thai time only a few of our nation 
Were carried away from their native land, 
I >i 1 1 from the firsl attack of thai mighty king, 
The whole' country seemed a child's toy in his hand. 

u In the eighth year of Jehoiakim's reign 

The Moabitea and Syrians in hands to Jerusalem 

came, 
And the Ammonites were in league with 
The Babylonian him;- the Bame. 

u Truly we booh realized the threateninga 
{){' an offended Gk)d were just, 
And in the future more terrible calamities 
Receive from t ho vial of his wrath we must. 

" The ag&3 Hilkiah was but one among 

The many who were slain, 

And poor old Ahi not alone in her 

Lamentations lor her husband did complain. 
" About one-and-twenty was I then, 

And very vain indeed 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. {)[) 

Of my long, black, glossy hair; 
Bright eyes too I had, and a beautiful complexion 
fair. 

" Dazzled then I was with a rich Ammorite 

Who was twice my years ; 

A high position offering me, 

My hand without my heart I gave, 

Thinking not of fears. 

u No wonder that my married life 
A ource of misery proved to be : 
From the commandments I bad wandered, 

And the God of Israel I did not -<•'•. 

u Beside the Bin of intermarriage with a heathen, 

I had married without love ; 

Baal I worshipped outwardly, but an idol 
I made of self, Tor- entirely I had forgotten 
The great God above. 

" A little son wa then given unto me : 
I had a priceless treasure to worship now, yon see; 
But Jehovah's words still remained the same, — 
' No other God before me ever sholt thou name.' 

" The truth of his commandm- 

I know I learned at last, 

J>ut not before my heart through sorer trials hud 

P : ' d. 



70 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

"Of the heathen deity Moloch, 
No doubt you both have heard ; 
A great sacrifice demands he 
When his anger e'er is stirred." 

"Oh, Zilpah, in what manner did they worship his 

great name ?" 
" To mention it, makes me shudder, but the bitter 

trial came. 

" By the Ammorites he was worshipped, — 

This heathen god all made of brass ; 

There was the head of a calf on the great hollow 

image, 
In which a fire was kindled and the victim thrown, — 

alas! 
No dumb brute will the helpless victim be, 
But a living human being, as you soon shall see." 

" Oh, Zilpah, Zilpah !" Rachel exclaimed, 

As if the fearful sight she saw ; 

" In that manner how could they demand 

One to worship, or our God suffer such a law ?" 

Zilpah replied, bitterly weeping, — 
"Those cruel priests, I believe, enjoy the sight; 
But the sacrifice I was demanded to make 
I have not shown you yet aright. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 71 

" My husband compelled me this offering to bring, 
Saying he had grievously offended Moloch the king. 

" He the oracle consulted, and what think 
You he did demand ? 
My little son — my own heart's treasure — 
Was called for at his hand. 

" I begged my husband that my life 

A sacrifice might be made ; 

But nothing save the sinless life of a little child 

On the altar could be laid." 

."His father," replied Rachel, " was he not loath 
This cruel sacrifice to see ?" 
" God forbid that I should judge him now, 
But his words were cold and unfeeling then to me. 

" My little son away from me they took ; 

With all a mother's love I begged to keep him till 

the fatal hour ; 
But with my earnest entreaties nothing could I do, 
For all things now lay in the heathen power. 

" I thought over, on my sleepless couch that night, 
Every imaginable place where they might have him 

concealed ; 
To my long-forsaken God, entreating cries for help 

I sent, 
That the place to me might be revealed. 



72 NAPHTALIj OR, THE FOUNQ BONDMAN. 

u Ami at midnight 1 arose to seek the hiding-place 

of my boy, 
Trusting (<> an offended God that I 
Mighl find my heart's delight and joy. 

41 While wandering aboul the priest's dwelling 
The suppressed ory of a child I heard ; 
1 orouohed dose down beside the wall 
Waiting for the morning, 
All the mother-love in my head now stirred. 

u If nothing more I could do, with him 

I was resolved <o perish i 

I could mil see him given as a sacrifice, — 

My loved one 1 bo cherished. 

u Bui the early dawn revealed a new and unexpected 

lighl to me : 
Nebuchadnezzar had come again, 
And the astonished people were in a besieged city 

now, yon 866. 

44 The wicked and weak king el" Judah 

An almost Instant surrender made; 

And before nightfall my darling 
Once more in my arms was laid, 

44 Into the priest's dwelling a band of soldiery forced 

(heir way. 
While 1 in my place oi' concealment there lay. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 73 

<l Forgetfu] of everything except the rescue of my 

darling boy 
(Unguarded he had been), 
I pressed in ami bore him away in triumphant joy. 

" But whither for safety should I now go? 
Mv first thought was to the house of Al>i; 
A friend she would be, I know. 

" But turning aside from the riotous troops 
To a more unfrequented part of the city, 
I caught site of a Levite's house, 
Wherein I found both love and pity. 

" My little one I resolved to consecrate that day, 
Commending him to Israel's God, — 
And then I must haste away. 

" Willi my precious child I now must part, — 
JJiit warmth and joy suddenly filled my heart. 

*^ WIkii in the good man's arms I him had placed, 

Safer now, I thought, he is, than in a mother's strong 
embrace. 

"Still fearing my husband and the priest of Moloch 

Were in pursuil of me, 

A hurried farewell and kiss I gave him — 
A place of concealment for myself to see. 

D 7 



'/I ,vi/7//'i//, oi:,riir VOVNQ HONDMAN 

' 1*1 - in-ill r.iii i w.i i. ..in.- .1 oapth o Pur away, 

Ami nl nn hlllc l«.»\'. I.ilc I li.i\r not Immi.I :imv 

thai \\<ii\ day, 

" \\ il li I Ik- iii.iii \ I lion ;in«l i of people 

Whom Nrlnirli.i.ln. .ir up to Babylon then <li«l take. 
My loi ii vvum i<> moot uIho suoh i bitter III to. 



" For hm boy I have deeply yearned 

A ll the ■■•• <"\ out J ) • mi | 

I [oping w.m.I front linn to l< II 11 

That \\ .Mil. I quiet tny foai 

But I gave l<im up that -i.i\ to iii<- Mighty On©i 

Buying, * Father unto thee I commend mv son.' 

" A II ill** •■«• ('\ rn(\ \ r.n . of HIV .Nil.' 

Would an unprofitable story make, 

But filled w ii l» meroy >( would be 

From iIk 1 begluning <<» the end of my sad fate." 

Am /iil|>:ih spoke, K;'flu'l looked up through blinding 

I.MI . 

\ halo of Light around hot friend now appears, 
Deeply affected had both Naphtali and Raohel been, 
A M.l over after unto them \ sacred charge she seemed. 

Four months through de lerts, the oara\ an 

We may not follow .lay l>v <l:i\ . 

But unniolc ited by m\ .!••<• Poos 

God's protecting unn seemed around thoir wuv. 



JOUJi a /. J (NO TO .111:1:: 1 / 1 \i •;;, 

N:i|»lil:iliV. hopufll] ii.iIiiic con tan! unliiiir :ln<l 
:ii oiiikI, 

TIiq >o "i iii companionship pleasure ovor found* 
I n the whole company, the progress of eaoh day's 

journey 
M:n ked no one more than !"• , 
A 1 last, when in r< . 1 rested upon the 

I im 1 1 (I land, rejoiced ho seemed to l»« - . 

To the land of the exiled they were hastening fast) 

i'i- li in his w<'ll stored mind wore the 

I I Istorio events of ""■ pasti 

Jordan's blue waves still seemed waiting for 
The :ni bearing pric t, u they flowed on the sand ; 
A ii< I l i.k I, with Its wonderful history, Its mighty 
1 1 ill .; and deep ravines, was no li gi andi 

For the first time they did Naphtali's thoughts 

I mm 11 i If ; 

Holy seomed the ground he trod, fairer 

S<ciiic«I the flowers than those in the land of his exile* 

Noi, altogether because he looked upon it with the 

of a zealous Jew, 
I 'nil ix .11 |ng marks of Its 1 uthles 1 ftx , 
Yd on every side 1! revealed its natural beauty # » 1 1 * - 
and tru6i 



76 NAPHTALI; OR, THE FOUNO BONDMAN. 

Babylon, with all its grand works of art, 
Could not compare with the beauty of Pales- 
tine; 
Through tear-dimmed eyes old Zilpah looked upon 
That dear familiar scene. 



Could those uncultivated wastes. 

Those barren slopes, be indeed the land 

Where the vine and olive grew, 

The land thai flowed with milk and honey ? 

Yet she knew this to be true. 

From her wrinkled face the sweet, patient 
Smile was almost gone, 

But by and by the light to her eountenanee 

Again did come. 

Ay, the smiles of God again rested upon Judea, 

And, seen through that glorious Light, 

Her native land began io grow more beautiful and 

bright. 

The weary journey will not much longer last ■ 

The hills that have hidden Jerusalem from them 

Now will soon be passed. 

The oft-repeated vision o\' the holy city 

A glad reality is soon to be now; 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 77 

Fast sinking I the sun behind those sentinels in the 

west, 
And Naphtali stands with thoughtful brow. 

lie is thinking of the evening when be trod 
On the plains of Shinar, 
Watching for the Last time the palaces 
Of Babylon from afar, 

How widely distinct had Babylon and Jerusalem 

been, 
Yd closely linked together in the hearts of those 

eiipiive Jews they seem. 

In spirit they bad lived in one, 
And there had Longed to be, 
While their bodies for seventy years 
I [ad Lain in captivity. 

As Naphtali watched the darkening hills of .Jeru- 
salem, 
Thinking of the Longed-for scene, 
He resolved to wipe out the whole |)iefnre, 

Lest OH the morrow if, might fall short of his ideal 

dream. 

In his musing so deeply absorbed was he, 
That a dark figure flitting about his f<-ni he did not 
see. 



7$ NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

No other than Ishbak the unexpected visitor to him 

proved. 
" Naphtali, your gaze from yonder hills * 
For a long time you have not moved. 
What will you do when you are really within the 

city's street, 
Whither you have hastened with glad and willing 

feet?" 



" I will labor with my whole strength 
Its ruined temple to restore ; 
The very thought fills my heart with joy; 
What could we ask for more ?" 

" I am thinking, for my part, it will no light labor 

be." 
" But deep down in your heart, Ishbak, 
In this work a labor of love I think you see." 

" To be sure, my part of the toil I will gladly bear; 
But, Naphtali, I cannot see why you left 
Your post of honor, with these pilgrims your lot to 
share." 

" I know in Babylon the lines had fallen 
In pleasant places unto me, 
But what was all that compared with the joy 
Of Zion now to see ? 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 79 

" Oh, Ishbak, wild and visionary you may me call, 
But happiness o'er my whole life now seems to 
fall." 

" I envy you your hopeful nature," 
Replied Ishbak, with a sigh. 
" The same right to these glorious expectations 
You have, my friend, as I. 

" What the prophets tell us concerning Messiah, 

Can you not believe ? 

Their glowing words sufficient are 

The darkest midnight to relieve. 

" We should not yield to gloomy doubts and fears." 
" But the dark side, Naphtali, I have looked on all 
these years." 

" The rich promises show us that we need not fear ; 
A strong city have we in God's salvation, 
With walls and bulwarks near. 

" ' Open, ye gates, that the righteous who keep 
The truth may enter in ;' 
Jehovah's everlasting strength alone 
Can deliver us from sin. 

" Though our sins to us may as scarlet seem, 
Messiah through his blood will our souls redeem. 



80 NAPBTALl', OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

"These charming promises, remember, have been 

given unto us ; 
Are they not enough to make one happy 
And in God to put his trust?" 

"But somehow, Naphtali, I cannot think 
Those comforting words are meant for me, 
Such a great sinner J have been, 
Wicked and rebellious too, you see. 

"Perhaps some time I may be better fitted 

God's forgiveness to ask." 

'' No more power have we than the leopard 

His spots to change, for such a task. 

"God does not require of us such an impossible 

thing j 
But 'unto me/ he says, 'my son, thy poor heart 

brin-; " 

" Did not Job say, i How can God a justifier be and 

just? 
This free forgiveness I cannot see, in which you put 

your irust." 

u We cannot see how food to bone and muscle givetli 

strength, 
Nor how the soil such varied plants putteth forth at 

length, 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 81 

"Again, I think God lias no1 left us in the dark 
About this great salvation which he has begun; 
The daily sacrifices and the scape-goat are 
But types of the Saviour yet to come." 

" Upon him is laid the iniquity of us all" 

"But it is almost night, and we must our conversa- 
tion cease ; 

May the God of all comfort keep your heart in per- 
fect peace/' 

Early next morning, as the caravan 
Was starling on its journey for the day, 
"One word may I have with you?" 
Exclaimed [shbak, in a quite excited way. 

"Thrice that number," quickly answered 
Naphtali to his friend. 
"Then I will begin my story 
While your attention to me you lend. 

"The tents are as much alike as lentil-seeds, you 

know ; 
Last night, in searching for ours, 
Farther from it I seemed to go. 

"At last I became discouraged, and lay down 
Outside a tent in the outer row ; 
/ 



82 NAPETALIj o/,\ Till: YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Your conversation floated through my brain, 
Things oame to me (hat in my boyhood I <li<l know. 
All my disobedience that well-nigh broke my 

fathers heart, 
Even the blasphemous words in which I then took 

part. 

"Willi all a father's tender love he strove to draw 

My heart to Israel's God : 

Like a picture all these things, revolving, were 

Showing me the sinful w:iys I've trod. 

u 1 saw my dying mother, and how from 

Bondage I endeavored to escape J 

I lost (he only bright spot in my life 

The night I left my father's home quite late. 

"'To the grcut city of Babylon I know not howl 

found my way, 
But in my bewildered joy I walked there one dusty 

summer day. 

" My speech and countenance soon betrayed me as a 

rlew; 
1 had wandered far from home, — 

Wandered into bondage new. 

u Before night, I was borne to the market-place 

And io tin 1 father of young Shethar was sold, 

The dull routine of a slave's Life to xon need not he 
told. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM, 33 

" Bui to the strangest part of my story 

(New life within me it stirred): 

My father's voice, I thought, in the tent 

Close by L heard. 

" In earnest voice and pleading he prayed 

For his wayward son, 

Little knowing then that his prayer 

Was answered ere done. 

"These fourteen years I oft have yearned 
To find my parent dear, 
And 111 v hear! leaped with a sudden joy 
When I found that he was near. 

" For my father's voice I had not forgotten, 

Although from him so for away ; 

In every pause of* his prayer I seemed to hear 

The verse of the song you sung that day • 

'IAke as a father pitieth his children 

So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 1 

" Oh, how impatiently \ waited for the break of day ; 

But somehow, Naphtali, the dawn 

Has taken my courage all away. 

In feeble health my father is, I learn; 

Do you think I had better to him now return V 

Naphtali looked off thoughtfully to the hill, 
Offering up a prayer that he might know God's will. 



84 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

" Fourteen long years since parted you've been ; 
Then changed very much, to him you may seem ; 
The best thing, I think, for you now would be 
To go to your father as a stranger, you see ; 
And you may be sure he will talk of his son, 
And then by degrees the acquaintance will come." 

With pleasure Naphtali's counsel Ishbak heard, 
While he hastened away with the speed of a bird. 
God wonderfully leads us in a way we have not 

known, 
And to Ishbak great mercy he had shown. 

" I am glad he has revealed his past life unto me ; 
More interested in him I now henceforth shall be. 
Would I had known more of him when 
We together in servitude did go ; 
How little the heart-history of our daily friends we 
know?" 

So soliloquized Naphtali ; both Zilpah 

And Ishbak had undergone a transformation, as it 

were. 
Thinking of the story of Zilpah 
Reminded him of his little charge, 
But yonder in the distance now he sees her. 

A very happy journey now before them was laid, 
Albeit the numerous hills it a little irksome made. 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 35 

Reached at last the summit of Jerusalem is, 
And there before them the desolate city lies. 
Who can describe the feelings that thrilled their 

hearts 
When they gazed upon it in glad surprise ? 

Here lay the city of Jerusalem at Naphtali's very 

feet, 
So like and yet unlike what his imagination pictured, 
Yet it made his joy complete. 

Seventy years, as God had prophesied, 
Keeping Sabbath it had been, 

And the mantle of its rest all about it still folded 
seemed. 

The gentle rippling of the brook Kedron 

Might there be heard, 

Mingling with the cry of a solitary bird. 

Naught but its soft, low dirge 

Broke the silence of the scene ; 

And Mount Moriah, with its ruined temple, 

Across the valley rose quite plain. 

Looking around iu fancy, he a beautiful structure 

saw 
Rising from beneath the gray ruins, 
And it filled his heart with awe. 

8 



86 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

With just a dimple between, 
The longer ridge of Zion rose ; 
And fur to the southwest, the course 
Of Hinnom's gloomy valley closed. 

But the fig and olive with the rich 
Green foliage of the vine 
Gave a strange freshness to the desolate scene, 
A token, also, of God's remembrance in his mercy 
kind. 

" The joy of the whole earth /" exclaimed Naphtali. 
To see it rebuilt was his strongest desire, — 
Jerusalem, with its natural features, that 
Neither time nor sacrilegious hands can mar. 

Most wistfully Zilpah gazed upon the 
Well-remembered scenes, in tears ; 
Well-nigh hidden to her was the glorious future 
In the mist of by-gone years. 

" Why, Rachel," exclaimed Naphtali, as he 
Noticed the shadow that not even her smile 
Of welcome drove away, 

u What has banished the brightness of my sunbeam 
this glad day ?" 

" Oh, Naphtali, I know it is very wrong of me, 
But I am disappointed, as you see." 



JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 37 

" You expect too much outward loveliness, I fear. 
I think, when we look around these hills 
And vales, we'll find much to admire, my dear. 

" Solomon's temple, — oh, Rachel, think 
Of the glad feast-days celebrated there, 
The songs of triumph that have echoed 
From hill to hill, and solemn prayer. 

" There God revealed his glory in the Holy of Holies, 
There selected his dwelling-place; 

Jerusalem, thou hast been the perfection 
Of loveliness and grace. 

" This privilege may God grant to his 
Repenting children, 

Of restoring it again to its matchless splendor, 
To the glory and honor of his name." 

Naphtali's ardent soul in every feature seemed to 

shine. 
Little Rachel was sorry for her weak 
And childish expression and disappointed mind. 

" From my eyes, Naphtali, you have taken 
The blindness, and relieved me of a load ; 

1 now see Jerusalem as it really is, — 
The city of God's abode." 



88 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

" But look, "Rachel, is not that Ishbak 

Who is talking so earnestly to that old man yonder ?" 

" Yes, Naphtali, and he is kissing the old man's 

hand 
As if receiving a patriarchal blessing ; 
What does it mean, I wonder ?" 

" Listen, and a beautiful tale I will tell to you." 
And Naphtali related to Rachel the story 
Of Ishbak, while the picture before them 
Proved his story true. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

REJOICINGS. 

The journey was ended, the holy city 
Once more was trodden by pious feet. 
First the house of God the great company 
Sought, their liberal offering to make meet. 

Then did the Levites, the singers, the Nethinims, 
And the great company of no less faithful Jews, 
Seek to make their home in the land of their 

fathers ; 
And a place with Naphtali did good old Zilpah 

choose. 

Naphtali sought a place in sight of the temple, 
Thinking a pleasant home to find, 
For as a singer he would often be away 
A whole week at a time. 

He had hoped that Ishbak and his kindred 
Would settle near ; 

But since the confusion of their last day's journey 
From him they could not hear. 

8* 8!> 



90 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

So in their lowly home the three together settled 

there; 
But Zilpah was too old for much save quietude and 

prayer. 

Her manner, very subdued had become at last, 
Till one day Rachel asked her why of late 
She talked so little of the past? 

" I have been thinking, Rachel, that I must 
Take heed to the time God has left to me ; 
Yet not much can I do but pray for the 
Prosperity of Israel you see. 

" The past in God's keeping is, and I look 
Forward now to a fairer city than Jerusalem, 
Where my loved ones dwell." 

" Oh, Zilpah, I cannot bear to hear you such things 
tell." 

Not many weeks had elapsed after their arrival, 
Till the beginning of the seventh month — 
The month of feasts — came on ; 
Then, as one man, came they up to Jerusalem, 

To consecrate to the God of Israel an altar 
Upon which burnt-offerings must be laid, 
To show the people a symbol of their religion 
And to remind their own hearts of the law 
That God for Moses made. 



REJOICINGS. 91 

A most impressive month it was to the returned 

Israelites, 
And it served their zealous hearts in closer 
Bonds of love to God and one another to unite. 

Around their humble altar the worshippers 
Gathered with upturned face, 
Although no glittering temple there 
The scene did grace. 

No Holy of Holies, no Urim and Thummim, re- 
vealed God's will ; 

But the glory of the great Jehovah with love their 
hearts did fill. 

To Zilpah and Rachel all these ceremonies 
Of exceeding interest were ; 
To Zilpah, especially, they past memories 
In her heart did stir. 

When back again to their home they went, 

It seemed indeed that her strength was almost spent. 

Rachel could not help seeing how heavily 

Upon her fell the burden of her years ; 

Perhaps the silver cord might soon be loosened, 

But this filled her heart with fears. 

So she put the thought from her far away, 
Living over again the festival days in glee, 



92 NAP 11 TALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

For in the land of bondage these days 
Were named in secreoy. 



The sacrificial offering, the clarion notes 
Of the trumpets, and the clouds of incense 
Were both rich and rare, 
Far beyond the gaudy display of the heathen 
Festivals, though they magnificent were. 

"Oh, Naphtali, if every day of the year they could 

but last, 
How heaven-like earth would be, as here our time 

we passed." 

" But, Rachel, do we not have burnt-offerings every 

day ? 
These a reminder should be to bring us on our 
heavenly way." 

Glorious and grand days had this seventh month 

To the young singer brought, 

In his own appointed way (o worship 

The God of Israel, in both dvvd and thought. 

The very songs thai King David sung 
On Zion's hill (where Christ's holy footsteps trod), 
In this place it was his earthly hope to dwell and 
worship God. 



REJOICINGS. 93 

Since the decree of Cyrus scarcely a twelvemonth 

now had passed ; 
All ready they were to begin the foundation-stone at 

last. 

A great gathering of the people up to Jerusalem came, 
To set forward the work of the Lord's house in his 
name. 

Among the vast assembly, Rachel detected 

Ishbak's well-remembered face; 

Some distance from them was he, 

With the gray-haired man near to his embrace. 

Hark ! loudly the trumpets are sounding, 
And to Zilpah Rachel tightly clings 
Lest she should lose her in the throng. 
How sweetly the singers their cymbals touch, 
And chorus after chorus arises their thanksgiving 
song ! 

" Oh, give thanJcs unto the Lord ; for he is good, for 
his mercy endureth forever towards Israel, his 
people" 

The shouts of the people, too, a great way off might 

be heard ; 
The builders of the temple the foundation-stone had 

laid, 
While the voices of the multitude were stirred. 



94 NAPIITALI; OR, THE FOUNG BONDMAN. 

The Lcvites and priests, who were ancient men, 

Were thinking of the first grand temple; 

What a contrast this to the brilliant sight of by-gone 

years ! 
These gray-haired men looked now with eyes be- 

dimmed with tears. 

While shouts of joy from the youthful rise, 
For their hearts were filled with glad surprise. 

Scarcely could Zilpah and Rachel distinguish 
These shouts of joy from lamentations near, 
And the faces all about them a strange 
Contradiction to one another did appear. 

But the faces on the left that greeted her 

With joy were beaming 

As Ishbak grasped her hand : 

u Alone how did you venture in this crowded 

Assembly to stand ?" 

Rachel eagerly replied, " Naphtali helped us here, 
And to the crowd we have not as yet come near. 
Has it not for our people been a glad and happy day ? 
But what means all this crying about us, pray?" 

" They arc brooding," replied Ishbak, " over the 

remembered past ; 
Yet I think they do wrong in throwing a chill 
Over the rejoicing ones at last." 



REJOICINGS. 95 

" It makes me feel like crying," answered she, 

" When other people in tears I see. 

But I am glad, Ishbak, to see your face so bright." 

" Perhaps, little Rachel, it has caught some 
Of your glad sunshine and light. 
But here my father is, him I want your 
Good old friend to see." 

" How often," replied Rachel, " have I wished that 
it might be." 

So, a few moments later, when Naphtali hurried in, 
He found them quietly conversing as friend with 

friend. 
He was very glad Ishbak again to meet, 
And his father with kindness he did also greet. 

Ishbak was greatly delighted to see Naphtali, his 

friend ; 
And when the great company dispersed, 
The rest of the day together they did spend. 

Naphtali prevailed also upon Amram, 

The father of Ishbak, the rest of his family to bring ; 

Never before so many bright faces 

Around their frugal table had Rachel seen. 

For the first time in her life 

She felt ashamed of their homely fare ; 



96 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

But they the choicest free-will offering 
That very morning for the Lord did spare. 



However, a most happy gathering 

It was in their humble home ; 

Zilpah and Amram found much converse 

About the past and time to come. 

Zilpah's added score of years its heavier burden 

Had laid on heart and brow ; 

Treading, they both were, down the slope of years, 

But the twentieth mile-stone or so more 

A short space seemeth to them now. 

Naphtali and Ishbak to each other 
Had many things to say, 
And arm in arm on the housetop 
Walked they in the cool of the day. 

" Naphtali, as you said, my father 

Soon began to talk of his erring son ; 

Not long was it before our acquaintance then 

begun. 
But, oh, the parental blessing 
That was showered upon me ! 
By this unmerited earthly love 
Comprehended I the heavenly, you see." 



REJOICINGS. 97 

" And you have found your heavenly Father's tender 

care?" 
In a very low and quiet tone Ishbak answered, " His 

love I share. 

" Yes, God has touched my soul with 
His great love and filled it with his light ; 
That dark cloud you yonder see 
Needs but one touch of the setting sun 
To make it alive and bright." 

" Oh, Ishbak/' exclaimed Naphtali, " I am so glad 

These words to hear you speak !" 

Just then, from below, Rachel's voice called, 

And they hastened to obey the summons 

Of the dear voice sweet. 

To the olive-grove on the hill-side 
A walk had been proposed ; 
And soon the whole company 
Were enjoying the shady groves. 

Ishbak's young sisters enlivened them 
With their sprightly talk and song ; 
But the twilight deepened, and 
They had to part ere long. 



CHAPTER IX. 

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. 

ISHBAK and his kindred the following day 
Their homeward way pursued; 
But his home in Jerusalem he intended to make 
As soon as the building of the temple was renewed. 

When Naphtali his intentions heard, 
He urged him to his household to come ; 
Very glad Ishbak was, and willingly 
Accepted the offer of such a home. 

Rachel was lonely after enjoying such rare pleasure, 
For scarcely had she e'er done so before ; 
And the departure of Ishbak's merry sisters 
Seemed to have closed the magic door. 

In her childhood, almost isolated she had been, 
But she had promised some time to visit them in 

their home ; 
So she cheerfully resumed her work 
Until that time should come. 

Daily more saint-like in spirit the aged Zilpah grew; 
She was ripening for that " far-off land," they knew. 
98 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. 99 

Often in walks (heir time they spent; 

Then Zilpah would point out many ruined buildings, 

And her knowledge of the past 

A charm to her stories lent. 

With tear-dimmed eyes, one day her discourse 

To the spot of the Levite's house inclined. 

A question Rachel wished to ask 

That had long been in her mind: 

" Do you not think that we might learn something 

Of the fate of your little son, even now ?" 

" 'Tis the one thought that is constantly in my mind," 
Replied she with thoughtful brow. 

"Rut I forgot to tell the priest my little one's name, 

In my haste that day ; 

Who of my nameless child eould tell, 

When from me he has been so long away? 

" I can only hope now, in the 'far-off land/ 

Again to see my darling boy ; 

My prayer is, that God will unite us 

In that land of joy." 

Zilpah's resignation seemed too beautiful to mar; 
Rut still Rachel hoped that in time to come 
She somewhere in this life would find her long-lost 
son. 



100 NAPITTALT; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

The finding of Ishbak's father had greatly increased 

her hope ; 
But the days came and went and Zilpah 
Weaker grew, till Rachel began to fear 
Those were prophetic words she spoke. 

And then to her mind sad forebodings came : 

The thought of living without old Zilpah 

Always gave her pain. 

But selfish thoughts were these, and 

To check them she strove always ; 

Never was there a more devoted nurse, 

Through all those weary days. 

Just about that time hinderances 

To the great rebuilding came : 

The people of the country their services offered, 

Saying, " We seek to worship in your God's name." 

But Jeshua and Zcrubbabel their motives understood, 
And replied, "Unto the Lord our God 
His house we'll build, 

As Cyrus, king of Persia, commanded that we 
should." 

The people of the country were greatly troubled at 

this news, 
And began to annoy the builders in whatever way 

they choose. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. JQI 

But they dared not openly do much, 

Because they knew their work was supported by 

tire king; 
Yet in an underhanded way, great mischief to this 

people did they bring. 

Even Naphtali's bright spirits 

For a time much clouded were, 

And Ishbak strove rash thoughts to keep back 

When he found these obstacles 

Would the work deter. 

Meanwhile, the shadow daily lifted in Naphtali's 

home, 
For returning health to the failing Zilpah seemed to 

come. 
A visit to Ramah, Naphtali thought, 
Her health would now restore ; 
Anxious to have her well again, 
Pie urged her o'er and o'er. 
So Zilpah and Rachel set out upon their way ; 
Ishbak accompanied them, though he did not mean 

to stay. 

The little town of Ramah six miles north of Jeru- 
salem lay ; 
As they journeyed, many historic events 
Did they recall that day. 

9* 



102 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Here the great prophet Samuel his 
Favorite residence had made, 
An altar builded to the Lord, and here 
In the fulness of his years to rest was laid. 

From Ramah, a little way out, was buried 
The beautiful wife of Jacob, whose sweet name 
Little Rachel bore ; 

Well remembered Zilpah, that upon this 
Eminence, under the Babylonian captain, 
The Jews had assembled years before. 

Her captivity had begun earlier ; but oft 
She had heard these captives tell 
How they had viewed Jerusalem from this hill 
As they bade it a long and sorrowful farewell. 

Zilpah had of late learned all painful 
Reminiscences to dispel, 
And on the present sunshine and future 
Happiness to dwell. 

She spoke thus of the beautiful scenes around, 
On every side before them stretched 
A rich expanse of ground. 

Above Olivet the morning: sun was climbing fair, 

And Jerusalem, half in shadow, half in 

Sunshine, lay, an emblem of its true condition, there. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. 1Q3 

Far to the north and west the faint bine hills, 
Of Carmel and Lebanon's beauty told ; 
With delight even Zilpah's dim eyes the 
Rich prospect did behold. 

Soon to the house of Amram they were brought, 
And hearty greetings for a time absorbed all other 
thought. 

Among those good people we will leave them now, 
And back to Jerusalem with Ishbak alone will qo. 

The sunshine seemed dim without little Rachel's 

smile, 
And the singing of the birds not so merry all the 

while. 
From his mule twice he sprang to gather flowers rare, 
Only to throw them away again as Rachel was not 

there. 

By their desolate home in the city he was glad to 

pass, 
And hastened to the temple to renew his daily task. 

About a week afterwards a little incident occurred, 
Trifling in itself, but of its bearing more will soon 
be heard. 

A most discouraging day to the builders it had been ; 
Naphtali, with many others, the like had never seen. 



104 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOU NO BONDMAN. 

With reluctance they laid aside their tools early in 

the day 
And eagerly hastened on their homeward way. 

They stopped to rest by the road-side near a well. 
Soon a beautiful girl came there her pitcher to fill. 
A sudden blush suffused her fair cheek, 
As with courteous salutation they the beauty did 
greet. 

While stooping to fill the pitcher, her long black 

hair 
Fell like a dusky veil o'er her lovely face so fair. 
And shyly out of the meshes peeped her eyes so 

bright, 
They like twin stars seemed in the firmament of 

nigbt. 

Naphtali, noticing that with difficulty from the well 
She the water drew and her pitcher filled, 
Sprang quickly forward and offered to give 
His help to her and her task relieve. 

She thanked him with a bright and happy smile, 
Accepting his kind offer all the while. 
Scarcely had she the pitcher to him given, 
When he dropped it, and into pieces it was riven. 

She assured him no great harm had been done; 
But he kindly offered to replace it by another one. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. JQ5 

Naphtali had already noticed the unique design, 
And wondered if another such he could easily find. 

Her merry tones brought his self-possession back 

again, 
And he begged permission to fill another to the brim. 
I will prove you, then, she right merrily said, 
And to her father's house straightway them she led. 

He was inclined to draw back when 

He saw the home of a well-known enemy of the 

Jews ; 
But courtesy and his pleasing companion 
Checked the impulse, and he could not 
Find it in his heart to refuse. 

Her womanly dignity and childlike freedom seemed 

to him 
Over her whole deportment charms to lend. 
The second pitcher was procured and -filled with care, 
While the light-hearted maiden gayly teased him 

there. 
He felt glad the valuable jar was to be replaced, 
As he bade her good-by in all her winning grace. 

With a dark frown upon his brow, 
Ishbak to Naphtali said, 

" I wonder much to see you encourage this gay 
young maid." 



106 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Naphtali his old friend too well knew, 
Further conversation on the subject to pursue. 



Naphtali a substitute for the broken jar had found, 

Before another month had passed around. 

Meanwhile, the young Athaliah he had seen most 
every day, 

Either at the well or on the narrow winding path- 
way. 

Ere the replacement of the broken jar, 
Their friendship had ripened fast ; 
Naphtali met with cordial greetings from her parents, 
And by ties of true affection they seemed bound at 
last. 

Ishbak and Naphtali, returning from their work one 

day, 
A courier met with a message on the way : 
From their friends at Ramah it was, 
With an immediate request to hasten there. 
With anxious forebodings and mingled curiosity, 
For their journey they did prepare. 

As they approached the dwelling, 
Merry songs of minstrels fell upon their ear ; 
This increased their curiosity, but 
Silenced all their fear. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. 10 7 

" What can it all mean ?" exclaimed Naphtali, 
When to the rejoicing they drew near ; 
But soon the cause dropped from little Rachel's lips 
As with a smiling face she did appear. 

" Oh, Ishbak and Naphtali, glad news have I 

To tell you, now you've come : 

Good old Zilpah at last has found her long-lost son." 

No further invitation needed they, 

But, following Rachel, they soon were 

In the midst of the happy gathering there. 

There the good old mother sat with a 
Smile upon her face, 
While Amram with his youthful wife 
And daughters the room did grace. 

Amram, arising, drew Ishbak and Naphtali 
To Zilpah's side, and said, 
" Behold my mother, that from the fiery arms 
Of Moloch caused me to be led. 

" The fulfilment of God's promises 
After many days has come ; 
He has led us down these threescore years 
To the happy meeting in this home." 

Naphtali, as his eye rested upon the touching scene, 
Thought of the many years that had intervened. 



108 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

He rejoiced in his heart the ag6d mother 
And sou thus to behold ; 
But fast waning the evening was, 
And the story not half told. 

Amram and Zilpah seemed to have been 

Recounting their past lives one day, 

And the happy meeting came to them in this way : 

Amram, pointing to an eminence, said, 

" Very dear to me is yonder place, 

Because from that spot we bade Jerusalem farewell, 

Thousands together of our exile race. 

" A mere boy I was then, but keenly this parting was 

felt by me, 
All the more because so utterly alone I was, you see. 
The good Levite who to me father and mother both 

had been, 
Before my very eyes the preceding night was slain. 

" I was surprised at Zilpah's countenance 

When I had uttered these words : 

On her whole face new joy seemed now to bestirred. 

" ' Levites your foster-parents ?' she eagerly replied ; 
1 And of the knowledge of your parents 
Were you then denied V 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. 109 

" The whole story then to her I did relate, 
All my mother's self-sacrificing love 
For my sad fate. 

" The remainder of my story you can guess, 

For I am done ; 

The scar upon my arm confirms 

The story of her son. 

" Thus, by au unnatural father, I had branded been ; 
My praise to God goes forth, for his graciousness 



When at last his brief recital had been told, 

The rest of the evening was spent in merry-making 

By both young and old. 

Ishbak and jSTaphtali to Jerusalem went next day, 
Urging little Eachel to accompany them on their 
way. 

Henceforward Zilpah's home with her son would 

be, — 
With the son she had so long wished to see. 
Rachel bade Zilpah a most reluctant good-by ; 
To go home without her she felt that she must try. 

Her visit to Ramah enjoyable had been, 
But she was glad to be with Naphtali in her home 
again. 

10 



HO NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Indeed, a ray of light seemed now to shine within ; 
So affirmed Ishbak, since Eachel had with them 
been. 

Alas ! that aught should mar the peace 
Of their quiet home ! 
But hovering near dark shadows were ; 
Sorrow soon would come. 

Naphtali for a few days almost had forgotten 
Athaliah's bewitching face ; 
He knew to marry her would violate 
One of the strictest laws of his race. 

So the growing passion he daily strove to overcome ; 
At the well he would not meet her, neither see her 
in her home. 

Now every day Naphtali desired Rachel to fill the 

jar, 
And she to Ishbak and Naphtali carried it quite far. 

She sometimes wondered they did not choose 

The shady nook beside the well, 

But in her mind, why it was, she could not tell. 

Nor did Ishbak question why so changed 
Towards Athaliah he was, 

But thought within himself he must surely have a 
a cause. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. m 

To avoid the wicked eyes of Athaliah glad was 

he, — 
For to Ishbak such they always seemed to be. 

But the young damsel concerning her lover's 

Absence could not rest ; 

No longer her grief and sorrow 

She could hide within her breast. 

She, at last, her artful mother a confidante 
Of her secret made, 

Thinking she could aid her in her trouble 
Or some plans might be laid. 

Rachel in her walk one day stopped to rest by the 

way-side well : 
Who of that fatal moment the consequence could 

tell? 

Sitting there, absorbed in Zilpah's new-found joy, she 

sees 
A haggard-looking woman sink exhausted 
'Neath the tall palm-trees. 

She seemed not different from the blooming Athaliah, 
Whom Rachel had often met ; 
For something about her countenance there was 
She could not easily forget. 



112 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Rachel's water-jar was standing close by ; 
To quench her burning thirst the woman 
Asked permission it to fill, when she came nigh. 

Rachel was always glad to favor any one, 

So she instantly offered the weary woman some. 

With many thanks the woman filled the jar 
And a draught did drink, 
Then refilled it and handed it to Rachel, 
Who took it and no harm did think. 

The whole incident, to a passer-by, trivial might 

have been, 
And the consequences none could have foreseen. 

A few brief remarks passed between the two, 
Then Rachel with her pitcher did her homeward 
way pursue. 

Still the woman lingered there after their short 

talk; 
Reaching home, from the jar Rachel took a cooling 

draught. 

But she perceived the water had a strange, unde- 

fi n able taste ; 
Not knowing the cause of this, she emptied the 

pitcher in haste. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. H3 

She was thinking of the good Zilpah, 
Who had been with her so much in the past ; 
So she busied herself with her household cares, 
Hoping to forget her loneliness at last. 



As the afternoon began to wane, 
A strange feeling o'er her came, 
And a heavy stupor followed the cruel pain. 

The young men from their labor now returned, 
And, when they opened wide the door, 
They found little Rachel lying unconscious upon the 
floor. 

What it all did mean they could not tell, 
But they hastened to give her restoratives to make 
her well. 

By-and-by signs of animation to her came, 

And Naphtali, from her broken speech, of the cause 

Tried some knowledge to obtain. 

"Perhaps/' said she, "'twas the water from the 

well ; 
A bitter taste it had, but what made it so I could 

not tell. 
Some pure cold water give me, oh, Naphtali dear ! 
To quench this awful thirst that burns me here." 

h 10* 



114 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

But there was not a drop of water in the house that 

day, 
For Rachel herself had thrown it all away. 

So he waited anxiously for Ishbak 
That he might obtain the longed-for draught; 
But, alas, before medical aid was summoned, 
She had passed beyond their thought. 

With a smile of inexpressible peace, that day, 
Little Rachel, as she so often wished, 
Went to dwell in the house of God alway. 

How can we describe the deep anguish of Naphtali 

As he gazed upon his darling there? 

Or the keener pang of Ishbak, who loved 

The beautiful spirit, as man can love only once ? 

Great his sorrow as he knelt beside the form so fair. 

Very anxious from the first were they to see 

What the cause of little Rachel's sudden death 

might be. 
Her own words about the water furnished the only 

clew, 
But Ishbak with ready sagacity the whole tragedy 

well knew. 

He had followed Rachel that very day as far as the 

well ; 
Paler she was than usual, yet exactly 
Why he had followed her, himself could scarcely tell. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. H5 

At a distance lie had perceived the woman coming 

near, 
What her errand was, now to him was clear. 

Not a doubt had he that the water she 
Had given little Rachel poisoned was : 
"Athaliah was jealous of one whom she knew not 

to be 
Your sister, — without a cause. 
Afraid the dreadful deed herself to commit, 
Doubtless she instigated her mother to do it. 

" Would to God the wicked Athaliah 
Had never crossed our path ; 
Accuse you, Naphtali, I never will, 
For yielding to the natural impulse of your heart at 
last. 

" Rebuke the forbidden desire I know you did, 
And I do honor you for your self-control ; 
But, oh, Naphtali, had you Athaliah's 
Character read at the first, 
Might we not yet our darling's face behold?" 

" Ishbak, can it really be as you say ? 

I would have died for my sister any day." 

Ishbak answered, tenderly, " Your brotherly 
Affection for Rachel I well know; 



11(3 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

But for Athaliah is this strong love 
Now quenched, God's power to show." 

Oh, the regret that filled Naph tali's heart 
As he listened to Ishbak's words ! 
Now to seek forgiveness as David did, — 
This thought within him stirred. 

With a subdued and chastened heart, 
Naphtali took up again his daily burden in life's 
part. 

The sudden departure of Athaliah and her 
Parents from the city, Naph tali's heart relieved ; 
But the suspicions of Ishbak were confirmed, 
For in her guilt he fully believed. 

But in the hands of God Ishbak wisely let the 

matter rest, 
And Naphtali very willing was to acquiesce. 

For he dreaded to believe that the beautiful 

Athaliah could lead 

Her mother to the doing of su/ih a wicked deed. 

Very suddenly the dark cloud closed 

O'er Naphtali's home ; 

Yet it seemed but a forerunner 

Of the great national calamity to come. 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. H7 

Slowly the work of the temple had been 
Progressing all this time ; 

The people of the land every endeavor had used 
To hinder the building they could find. 

The leaders of their adversaries wrote a letter 

To Artaxerxes, the Persian king : 

11 Be it known unto the king that, 

If the walls of this city be rebuilded, 

It will endanger thy revenue, 

Because toll and tribute these people will not bring. 

" Therefore we certify to the king, that in 
The book of records search may be made." 
Without making a true search into the 
Real cause of the great rebuilding, 
In return the king's message was, 
That aside their work be laid. 

Thus for a time the faithful " remnant" 
Their unfinished work oft viewed ; 
Yet it was God's work, they knew, and 
Could not perish, but again would be renewed. 



CHAPTER X. 

CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 

Passing over an interval of fifteen years, 
Let ns look in upon Jerusalem 
And see how it appears. 

No longer is it a vast and desolated place, 
Many happy homes the once deserted city now do 
grace. 

Yet, as year after year has passed away, 
There lies the work of God's great temple, 
Bearing only new marks of decay. 

A striking contrast to the gray pile of stones 
Are the children's happy faces at their play ; 
Perfectly at home in the enclosure 
Are a little boy and girl to-day. 

Little Thar and Rachel were playing near their 

home, 
Arranging for the temple a wreath, 
That, in his childish ambition, little Thar said 
Was to crown the topmost stone. 
118 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. l\§ 

Absorbed so in his movements Rachel was 
That coming footsteps she did not hear, 
Till Ishbak laid his hand upon her shoulder 
And smiled into the dear familiar face so near. 

Naphtali's daughter little Rachel was, 
A namesake of the sister who had died ; 
For this reason the grave Ishbak loved her, 
And she was found ever near his side. 

" Why are you so serious, uncle dear, to-day ?" 
Anxiously questioned she, in her childish way. 
" Not serious, only lost in thought, I was. 
Has Thar's good father, in speaking of the 
Hinderance of the temple, ever told him of the 
cause ?" 

" Why, yes, Thar," said Rachel ; " do you not know 
That papa said it was the people of the land ?" 
" But some tried to go on with the work after 
The wicked king died ; your father was 
Among the last by the work to stand." 

" And were you not there, uncle?" little 
Rachel questioned still. 
" Oh, yes, little one, by your father's side 
I always worked with a right good will. 

" One by one we laid aside our tools, 

Convinced the time for rebuilding the Lord's house 



120 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Had not yet come to us." 

"Will it ever come, uncle?" whispered Rachel. 
" Oh, yes ; by and by God will permit us to finish 
it, I trust." 

And, as if forgetful of the children's presence, 

" Strange," thought he, " these questions 

Should follow me everywhere." 

The absent mind of her uncle 

She could not understand, as she gazed 

Up into his face, so thoughtful there. 

" Uncle dear," as in his her little brown hand he 

drew, 
" I am sorry with so many questions to have troubled 

you." 

"You trouble me, little ones?" as, rousing from 
His reverie, he answered ; " my dears, I say 
I love to hear you talk; as many questions as you 
Like you may ask alway. 

" But here is Rachel's wreath all finished, 
And on the topmost stone it shall be placed." 
Thus the beginning of God's house 
The children's work hath graced. 

Carefully over the stones he stepped, 

And reached the topmost one ; 

The children, clapping their hands with delight, 

Exclaimed, " Oh, I am glad 'tis done." 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 12 1 

The well-known words came to his mind, 

"A little child shall lead them." 
For the crowning of the stone a double meaning had 
to him. 

" God's house the children have been fixing up to- 
day; 
They, iudeed, the great work have begun : 
The signs shall we not understand and obey ? 
And this simple wreath of flowers, shall it not be 
A pledge of whole-soul offerings that we yet may 
see?" 

So reasoned Ishbak, as with the happy children home 

he turns, 
And with the thought a new lightness of heart he 

learns. 

Naphtali on the porch meets him as in former years 
And the children romp and play with papa without 
fears. 

Naphtali to give up the work of the temple 
Among the last had been ; 
During the years of waiting he had laid by 
Offerings as God had prospered him. 

But the past years to the Jewish people 
Had not prosperous been ; 
p 11 



122 NAPUTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Drought had stinted their crops, and sickness 
Their numbers had thinned. 



For no longer upon this people rested God's holy 

smile, 
Yet with blinded eyes they labored on the while. 
To amass for themselves treasures they labored in 

great haste, 
While they saw God's temple still lying waste. 

"Oh, Ishbak, you yourself have the prophet 

heard." 
" Yes, but I have almost doubted the inspiration of 

his word, — 
It has seemed so impossible for us to do any more 
Towards the temple of the Lord with famine at our 

door." 

Naphtali answered, "Rebuke us strongly Haggai 

does, you know, 
And declares that God's displeasure is the cause 
Of our crops around us failing so. 

" I've longed to cry with a loud voice, 

And urge our people the great work to renew ; 

But my words, what could they do 

To arouse the multitude ? 

The voice of God's prophet is needed, it is true. 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 123 

" His voice, ever since I heard it, has been ringing 

in my ear ; 
Ah, Naphtali, I doubt those solemn truths no longer, 
But they my sad heart cheer. 
1 Is it time for you, ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, 

and this house to lie waste f 

" I believe the hour is drawing near 

When the message from God's prophet they will 

hear ; 
But look, there is a courier at our door !" 
Little Thar had spied the messenger some time before. 

And he came running to Naphtali with cheeks all 

aglow : 
" ? Tis a servant, father, from the house of Prince 
Zerubbabel, you know. 

An important message for you and uncle," he says : 
" I wonder what it may be." 

" Why, my boy, you should not curious be 

About such grave matters that concern only me. 

Run back to sister," said Naphtali, kissing his up- 
turned face; 

Then, stooping down, he clasped him in a close em- 
brace. 

" Uncle and I will attend to the courier, too." 
Very reluctantly he obeyed, for he was a zealous little 
Jew. 



124 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

But his father's words were as law, he knew full 

well ; 
So he hastened back to Rachel, eager the news to tell. 

Meanwhile, Ishbak and Naphtali, 
With deep interest, listening were 
To the important tidings of the messenger. 

To God's prophet, the prince of Judah 

And Jeshua the chosen priest, had given a listening 

ear; 
Their whole souls now were stirred, 
For there was nothing more to fear. 

And the completion of God's great temple 
They were eager to hasten on. 
Like a command from heaven to Ishbak 
And Naphtali, this news did come. 

And the response went back to Zerubbabel : 
" Thy servants are ready, O prince, 
With willing hearts and waiting hands 
The great work to commence." 

Once again on Mount Moriah, in the enclosures grand, 
The hills and vales arouud sent back cheery echoes 
o'er the land. 

From the topmost stone the withered wreath Mas 

pushed away, 
But in its place the polished shaft was laid one day. 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 125 

Into Naphtali's home let us take a peep, 

And see what changes have been made with each 

passing year. 
The same old house it is, but desolate no longer 
Are the halls that even little Rachel's smiles could 

not wholly cheer. 



Merrily ringing are children's voices 
Among the busy household things ; 
From a soft, sweet voice a low sound comes, — 
'Tis a mother's lullaby as to her babe she sings. 

While Thar and little Rachel in the cool, pleasant 

yard, 
"With brother David their merry rompings keep ; 
With a gentle loving smile she watches them 
While she rocks her little one to sleep. 

Now a simple picture it is, but one I think 
That God's angels love to see ; 
What sweeter boon can he bestow than this, 
A home where rest and peace may be ? 

The fair Deborah of her own happy life 
Is not thinking to-day; 
Other thoughts in her mind are awakened, 
As her own little Rachel glances up from play. 
11* 



126 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

For she greatly resembled the other Rachel 
Whose life had been blighted so, 
And the sweet baby face recalls the one 
She learned to love so many years ago. 

She had listened to her brother Ishbak's suspicions 
With incredulous ears ; 
"If they were true had the guilty one gone 
Unpunished all these years? 

" Ah, well, what does it matter now 

To the happy sainted Rachel ?" 

Came the after-thought ; 

So Deborah mused as the shadows lengthened, 

And smiles to the little babe the angels brought. 

Suddenly a loud rap on the outer door there came, 
While all the sleeping echoes sent back a quick re- 
frain ; 
In Deborah's arms it awoke the sleeping child ; 
All out of breath a wee boy was standing 
At the door the while. 

In broken sentences, to Deborah's questions, 

Answered he in fright : 

"On the outskirts of the city, for the singer Naph- 

tali 
A dying woman is calling loud to-night. 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 127 

Will not the master at once to the home of the sick 

woman come? 
For she may die before arises the morning sun." 

Before Deborah could reply, Naphtali and Ishbak 

were at her side ; 
From the temple they had just come, 
And the well-known siuger the lad had spied. 

He hastened then his errand to repeat, — 

"But who may this woman be of whom you speak?" 

" That I cannot tell," the boy replies ; 

" But the whole neighborhood is disturbed 

By listening to her cries." 

To Deborah Naphtali says, "Shall I go, my dear?" 
" Do as you think best, my husband, I can trust you 

anywhere." 
" But with me, Deborah, you must go." 
" You can tell me all about it, and 
Our little ones need me, you know." 

" Then, farewell," as if some sudden gleam of light 

had crossed his mind ; 
Turning to the lad : " Direct me to the woman's 

house, 
And what she wants I'll find." 

The command was soon obeyed, 
And in an hour or more 



128 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Naphtali and his guide came to the 
Dying woman's door. 

" Louder call him, louder !" a piercing voice shrieked 

there ; 
It made Naphtali shudder as the tones he then did 

hear. 

Less changed was the ring of Athaliah's clear voice 
Than the haggard face that greeted him, — that face 
once his choice. 

How on that beautiful countenance 
With weight the years had leaned ! 
Once in the radiant bloom of youth 
Fascinating indeed it seemed. 

" Naphtali ! thank God, you have come at last ! 
The whole story you must know, before 
From this life I have passed. 

These people from the room, Naphtali, now must go; 
I have not long to live, and this secret you alone 
must know." 

He, half guessing what the revelation was to be, 
Complied with her request immediately. 

" Oh, Naphtali, forgive, do forgive ! I am dying now, 

you see." 
" I do forgive, my poor Athaliah, as I would forgiven 

be." 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 129 

" But, Naphtali, you cannot know all the 
Wrong to you I've done : 
Not knowing who she was, I was jealous 
Of her who was dearer to you than any one. 

" To poison the water for your sister, 
My mother I did guide," 

With fearful strength the suffering woman then 
replied. 

" She, stricken by the pestilence, dying, to me did 

say, 
'Oh, Athaliah, Athaliah, take this load of guilt 

away !' " 

With one wild look she clasped Naphtali's hand ; 
He saw that she was fast passing away to that " far- 
off land." 

A feeling of indignation for a moment to him came, 
But he checked it quickly, and it passed away 

again. 
Then he, of his long-suffering Father thought, 
And sweet words of comfort to the dying brought. 

" ' Slow to anger and plenteous in mercy is our Lord,' 
He would have us lean upon his gracious word. 
' He will not always chide, neither his anger always 
keep/ 



130 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 



For as the heaven is high above the earth, 
So is his mercy who neither slumber knows, nor 
sleep." 

As Naphtali ceased, suddenly arose 
Before him a vision of by-gone years, — 
How the same words to his master Shethar 
He had spoken once in tears. 

Then Athaliah's face seemed to change 
Into Shethar's countenance who was far away, 
For he had repeated those very words 
To the wounded nobleman on that never-to-be-for- 
gotten day. 

To the penitent man the comfort they 
Had brought was sweet, 
And to Athaliah in like manner 
He hoped they would be meet. 

Now the death-angel quickly to her came ; 

The pale fingers soon relaxed, 

And she lost that agonizing look of pain. 

A bright smile for an instant lighted the dying 

face, 
Then passed away as she was clasped 
In death's cold, stern embrace. 



CROWNING THE TEMPLE. 131 

Her - spirit, indeed, to the righteous Judge had 

passed. 
Would she find in him the reconciled Father at 

last ? 

Did peace come with the penitential smile 

That lighted up her once fair brow ? 

Only eternity could answer these questions now. 

That night, in their happy home, 
When he the story did relate, 
In heart-felt sympathy, their revenge 
They could see in her sad fate. 

Athaliah's terrible secret was never spread abroad ; 
Charity covered it from all save the righteous God. 



CHAPTER XL 

THE WORK PROGRESSING. 

Progressing now they were on Mount Moriah ; 
A new prophet to them had been revealed, 
Zechariah with Haggai in earnest labor 
Putting his own shoulder to the wheel. 

The promises, now given there, were rich and glorious 

For these inspired men to share. 

To Zerubbabel, their prince, to Jeshua, their priest, 

with one accord, 
And to the people, came commendations from God's 

glorious word. 

Thus spake the Lord : " Be strong, all ye people, 
And labor on, for I am with you in this work begun. 
I will shake all nations before me, 
And will fill this house with glory which ye shall see. 
And this latter glory greater than the first shall be, 
And in this place will I give peace," saith he. 

Then Zechariah for the chosen race swelled the theme 
That Haggai with exalted cry did begin : 
132 



THE WORK PROGRESSING. 133 

" Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion : for lo ! 
I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee." 

How this building was to surpass Solomon's 
Magnificent temple, they could not understand; 
But God's word is sure, and they doubted not 
In the power of his command. 

Some of the elder Jews were instructed 
In holy writ ; hence 

They believed it embraced the appearing 
Of their long-expected prince. 

But the younger ones, who gloried in the outward 

Beauties of their faith, 

Believed that untold riches would adorn 

The humble temple of their race. 

But in renewed opposition, silence to the 
People of the land they could not easily bring ; 
Governor Tatnai and his friends, as a last resort, 
Sent a letter to the king : 

" Would king Darius examine these wonderful state- 
ments of the Jews, 
And let the messenger return with the speedy news ?" 

As they worked willingly day by day, 
Marked changes they saw in basket and store ; 
12 



134 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

The mildew no longer blasted their ripening grain 
As in the days of yore. 

There was searcely a Jew or Gentile 

Who did not wait impatiently the returned news to 

hear : 
When months passed and still no answer came, 
That the records could not be found, they began to 

fear. 

" It is very strange, I think," said Ishbak to Naph- 

tali one day ; 
" I wonder if this proclamation retained has been or 

thrown away. 
How much time and trouble could have been saved 

had they to it seen ! 
Think you any help will come from Darius the 

king?" 
" Most assuredly I do, Ishbak. 
In Babylon zealous supporters we yet have, I trust : 
There is good Lord Shethar, if in his power, 
I know that he will help us. 

Did I tell you I sent a message to our noble lord ?" 
"Why, no, Naphtali; how is it you could send this 

word?" 

" Through the kindness of Tatnai, who, you know, 

Ishbak, is my friend, 
This letter to Lord Shethar I found that I could send. 



THE WORK PROGRESSING. 135 

Hastily I sent it, for the possibility of so doing 

Did not occur to me 

Until the courier just starting was, 

Or I would have inquired if any message 

You had to send, you see." 

" Most gladly my humble regards I would have sent; 
But of me Lord Shethar no pleasant remembrance 
Had, after away from him I went." 

" A severe judge of yourself, Ishbak, you are, I see; 
But I have not forgotten how well your 
Daily task was performed in bondage spent with me. 
I do not wonder that the yoke hard to you did 

appear, 
For then the Lord of hosts you had not learned to 

love and fear." 

" Dark days indeed, Naphtali, they were then to me ; 
But 'twas my own wilful blindness made them so, 

you see. 
Enveloped still in the dark cloud I might have 

been 
Had not God given me such a faithful friend." 

Naphtali exclaimed, " Naught of the glory can be 

given to me, when 
In the hands of God are the lives and hearts of 

men. 



136 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

And I do bless him for such a noble friend," con- 
tinued he ; 
" As David's soul unto Jonathan's was knit, 
So has mine been unto thee." 

When in Babylon, indeed, neither of them knew 
Of the life-long friendship that between them would 

arise, 
For then weary were their days 
And clouded were their skies. 

But God was linking their lives then 

By ways they did not know, 

By indissoluble bands that in after years would show. 

This conversation took place one morning 
As to the temple they wended their way, 
As usual, to engage in the labor of the day. 

But when to the temple they came near at hand, 
They found that new materials now were in demand. 

With idle tools their unfinished work they view, 
And interrogate among themselves 
For means their work to renew. 

" Is there no one," questioned a laborer, " in the 

whole company here 
Who a free-will offering with his God will share ?" 



THE WORK PROGRESSING. 137 

" Verily," from many lips there went the words 

around, 
" I know not where among us such a one may be 

found. 
For he who has the will this thing to do, 
The means he has not that we may the work pursue." 

As Naphtali and Ishbak took their morning walk, 
The generous impulses that filled NaphtaliV heart 
Were strengthened by their talk, 
And he longed to lend a helping hand, 
Now that he saw them making a demand. 

The consecrated stone, had he not gladly laid ? 
Many offerings besides he had freely made. 
Deborah of her substance willingly had spent, 
"With a ready mind much to the Lord she had lent. 
And the only thing that now remained 
Was the labor of strong hands and active brains. 

But stay ! there was one more offering that could yet 

be made, 
The gold and silver coin that he by had laid. 
'Twas the little ones' and Rachel's dowry, it is 

true. 
Was God calling for this last offering, too ? 



This last offering Naphtali hesitated for a moment 
12* 



To give unto the Lord, 



138 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

When before his mind came a message 
From David's word : 

" The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the 
Lord of hosts" 

No further assurance needed he, 

But to Ishbak whispered, " It shall be." 

The few words that in an undertone had passed, 
On the house-top Ishbak made them known at last. 

And as an electric spark from tongue to tongue it 

flew, 
And ere nightfall Naph tali's noble act 
Not only was made known, 
But imitated by many a zealous Jew. 

Meanwhile, the God of Judah was preparing for his 

people 
New triumphs from on high ; 
Not one self-denying act had escaped 
His ever-watchful eye. 

Now the day came when an answer 

To Tatnai's letter to them was brought ; 

Dread and curiosity now filled their every thought. 

When the contents of this royal epistle, 
Which they so highly prized, 



THE WORK PROGRESSING. 139 

Was read and published abroad, 
Naphtali's hopes were more than realized. 

King Darius was satisfied with the asserted 

Right of the Jews ; 

Not only did he second the decree of Cyrus, 

But whosoever the builders troubled, should they 

choose, 
Or the decree of Cyrus alter, there should be 
Timber from his house pulled down, 
And himself hanged thereon immediately. 

Moreover, help from the king's own goods 
They should have without delay 
And tribute beyond the river, 
That their work might prosper from day to day. 
And appointed sacrifices should be daily made with- 
out fail, 
So that sweet savors might ascend to the God 
Of heaven, and their prayers for the king 
Would not be without avail. 

Then his decree, as if to make it stronger still, 

He closed with this warning : 

" And the God that has caused his people in Israel 

to dwell, 
All kings and people destroy with speed, 
Who put forth their hand God's house to alter, 
At Jerusalem : thus I, Darius, have decreed." 



CHAPTER XII. 

BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 

Naphtaxi had scarcely recovered from the news 

when 
Shethar a gracious epistle to him did send. 
Rich gifts of gold and silver sent the nobleman from 

afar, 
With changes of garments for his namesake, little 

Shethar. 

The few modest words he wrote convinced Naphtali 
That in Babylon he had no firmer friend ; 
Repaid, indeed, with interest, was he, 
For all that he unto the Lord did lend. 

And now from all quarters help there came, 
For Darius's decree w T as not to be altered but firm to 
remain. 

Oh, the two glad years that followed day by day 
While rose in splendor and beauty the temple on its 
way! 

No Urim nor Thummim as yet, nor dread Shekinah, 
Appeared in the sacred place ; 
140 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 141 

But constantly God's blessing rested 
Upon his chosen race. 

Through young Zechariah came his word richer than 

before ; 
At evening-time Naphtali and Ishbak 
Would recall each glowing word 
Which from the lips of this young prophet they had 

heard. 

Listening to their discussions, Deborah felt her need ; 
Indeed, to these prophecies, all the people gave much 
heed. 

" Well, Ishbak, what think you this young prophet 

spoke about 
When he talked of the four horns that scattered 
Israel, Jerusalem, and Judah, and the 
Four carpenters that are to cast these out ?" 

" Ah, Naphtali, these questions difficult will be 
To settle in our mind, 

For perplexed about them I have often been in- 
clined. 

" Yet sometimes I wonder if profitable it would not 

be, 
To take them now on faith and let the ages prove 

each prophecy." 



142 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

" Ishbak, these questions may cloud our faith 
Which we have heard ; 

But God will never rebuke any humble inquirer 
Seeking to know his word." 

" I do truly believe that may be, but, of my own 
Feeble effort to understand them, let me tell ; 
These four horns, to me, seem the several hostile 
Kings that have oppressed Judah and Israel." 

" In your far-seeing sagacity great confidence 
I have, you know ; 

Yet I thought, Ishbak, the four horns meant 
The four tribes that have harassed us so. 

" The Ammonites and Samaritans, the 
Arabians and Philistines, I mean ; 
These four nations a constant scourge to us have 
seemed." 

" But did they ever really scatter Israel and Judah, 

As the prophecy would show ?" 

" Of the exact meaning of the saying 

I have never thought, you know. 

" In the wrong I perceive I may be, 

But the true solution I thought I'd found, you see." 

" Just as widely at fault, Naphtali, 
As yours, may be mine ; 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 143 

Some think the carpenters raised up 
As instruments are to defend the cherished faith I 
find." 

%i Well, whatever meaning is correct, it assures us 
The great God is mindful of us still." 
" And that is quite enough for me," said 
Deborah's low, sweet voice at will. 

Now Naphtali's cheery voice recounts the vision 

Of the horseman among the myrtle-trees, 

The man with the measuring line, 

The golden candlesticks, all of which Zechariah 



But concerning the coming mystery, 
Naphtali displayed the same bright hope 
That he had always shown ; 
He knew the great Jehovah's arm around 
About his people still was thrown. 

The holy city of Jerusalem yet wealth and glory 

would receive, 
And by and by would come more glorious promises 

than these. 

The coming of a greater help than Jeshua 
Or Zerubbabel was foretold to them, 



144 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN 

Even the coming of the Branch, of whom 
The great high priest could be but the faintest 
emblem. 



Tis now the month Adah, and the third day, 
Ishbak and Naphtali ascend the Mount of 
Olives on their happy way. 

Thar and little Rachel, light-hearted children still, 
In their merry glee chase each other up the hill. 

And awake the slumbering echoes with 
Shouts of joy do they ; 
A white day in the Jewish calendar 
This is, while old and young with grateful hearts 
obey. 

It is easy to guess the reason why they hasten to this 

place 
For the finished temple rises before them 
In all its matchless grace. 

And the crowning glory of an Oriental sunset there 

doth shine ; 
Naphtali's poetic mind this picture 
Long had anticipated in this place divine. 

"Oh, father, how beautiful 1" exclaimed little Rachel, 

with clasped hands, 
As she watched the quivering sunset, 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 145 

While Naphtali thoughtful stands, 

But never a word answers he, 

For he is deeply absorbed in reverie. 

With the dream of his life now realized, 
His thoughts turn back to by-gone years, 
And as a way-worn traveller he stands, with 
Rachel, who was doubtful and full of fears. 

Oh, the desolation of Mount Moriah, as in sackcloth 
And ashes then sat she : 

No wonder little Rachel's expectant heart failed her 
When the barren waste she then did see. 

" The beauty of it," now thought he, " is it within 

her sight ? 
Or is the unseen heavenly temple more radiant with 

light ? 

" Are all earthly scenes forgotten by this sainted 

soul?" 
Then tears filled this strong man's eyes, 
Sin thy sister sacrificed, came up again tenfold. 

Yet he doubted not her cross she had laid down 
In heaven to wear a far more glorious crown. 
" But earth," he thought, " too soon had lost 
The radiance of her life at such a bitter cost." 

G k 13 



146 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Ishbak, reading Naph tali's thoughts as he gazed so 

far away, 
With no curious questions troubled him that day ; 

But silenced little 'Thar when, impatiently, 
He asked why papa looked so sad 
When others seemed so glad to be. 

I could almost believe little Rachel's spirit hovered 

near, 
So sweetly from Naphtali's sensitive soul the clouds 

at last did disappear. 

For are they not all " ministering spirits," you see, 
Sent forth to those who "heirs of salvation" are 
to be? 

Behold, yonder the evening sacrifice now ascends, 
While glad thanksgiving chants their charms to 
Olivet lend. 

Little Thar, too, takes up the strain, 
And in the gladness of his heart sings the great re- 
frain. 

" Break forth and sing together, ye places lying waste, 
For again it will be seen 
That by his holy arm all nations yet shall see 
Jerusalem redeemed." 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST 147 

Ere the sentence finished was, Naphtali's 
Voice had joined the theme ; 
And ere the echo back was sent, Ishbak 
Sealed it with Amen. 

The stars one by one came out as the fiery 
Glow in the west sank down, 

Adding new beauty and grandeur to Mount Moriah's 
crown. 

Soon the heavy dew was beginning fast to fall, 
Eeminding Naphtali of his tender loving charge, 
above all. 

As they near their peaceful home, 
A snow-white lamb from the bramble-bushes comes 
And nestles close down by little Rachel's side; 
He long had been her playful pet and guide. 

" Oh, papa, do you not see 
How dearly well my Beda loveth me?" 
" And his love to you, my darling, shows 
Your kindness to him he fully knows." 

" Papa, may I not always have him for my very 

own ?" 
" Yes, darling, for the love to him you have ever 

shown. • 



148 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUXG BONDMAN. 

On the porch yonder your mother stands, with beam- 
ing face, 
Now let ine see you with your nimble Beda run a 



Rachel with her father's wishes did instantly 
agree, 

And in a moment by her mother's side stood, laugh- 
ing merrily, 

Clasping her hands in childish glee at her better 
fate, 

Thinking she had so far outstripped her little mate. 

The completion of the second temple with joy their 

hearts did fill, 
Through the glad Feast Days succeeding we will 

follow still. 

First, the glorious dedication came, 

Inferior doubtless to that which marked the pomp 

Of Solomon's edifice, yet the same. 

The children of Israel, the Levites, and the 

Rest of the captives, with one accord, 

As befitted their beautiful religion, held 

The dedication in the house of the Lord. 

Unto the Lord for a sacrifice was offered 
A hundred bullocks and two hundred rams : 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 149 

And for a sin-offering, according to the tribes of 

Israel, 
Twelve lie-goats and a sacrifice of four hundred 

lambs. 

A part of the blood before the altar was poured 

out, 
A part sprinkled on the horns of the altar of incense, 
And a part by the priest in the most holy place was 

laid ; 
For thus God had commanded that 
The sin-offering should be made. 

Afterwards followed the chauts and anthems 
In God's house of prayer ; 
" In the beauty of holiness," the temple received 
Another crowning, of which the sunset glory 
Was but a type in its beauty there. 

A forerunner, this imposing ceremony, 
Of the matchless glory that would be revealed ; 
No ark, no mercy-seat, no sacred fire, was therein 
concealed. 

"But with glory I will fill this sacred house for 

you, 
With greater glory than the former temple ever 

knew. 

13* 



150 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

"Rejoice, O daughter of Jerusalem, and behold thy 

king, 
He is just and having salvation, lowly to him sweet 

tributes bring. 

" To your stronghold turn ye, prisoners of hope," 
In ecstasies of joy, thus sang Zechariah ; 
And to many a glad believing heart he spoke. 

That consecration day in Zion long to be remembered 

was j 
Without, all nature seemed to conspire in bringing 
Rich tithes to the holy cause. 

For lo ! the weary winter now was passed, 
And the singing of the happy birds had come again 
at last. 

The voice of the turtle once more in the land was 

heard, 
Olivet's green slopes were redolent with the 
Fragrance which the wild flowers stirred. 

Putting forth green figs the glad trees were, 
While the verdure of the olive-groves gave promise 
rich and rare. 

Sweet anthems of praise resounded from within, 
And Mount Moriah with holy joy 
Seemed to tremble at the theme. 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 151 

The valleys caught the inspiration of the strain, 
From their gray depths, the dying notes 
Eeceived new impulse and re-echoed back again : 
" It is finished, it is finished !" 

The modest heights of Calvary, half a mile away 

stood there, 
Whose rough slopes in coming ages a repetition 
Of that strain would hear. 

A last stroke was yet to be given to a greater temple 

done 
Than ever graced Moriah's height, even the 
Living temple of God's own Son. 

A temple which, though to the ground it should be 

razed, 
Yet, according to the prophecy, should again 
Arise in three short days. 

But naught of all this sad, sweet mystery 
The happy, exultant Jews did dream ; 
They thought, after intervening years, 
In great glory would come their king. 

So dazzled were they with thoughts of his divine 

majesty and power, 
They dreamed not of the cross of Calvary or Geth- 

semane's dark hour. 



152 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Among the preparations made when the Passover 

Feast began, 
A sacrificial home-offering was demanded, — a spotless 

lamb. 

In the great congregation there was one little heart 
That in the coming festivities could not gladly take 
a part. 

Little Rachel for her pet lamb was grieved to tears, 
For she anticipated the sacrifice of Beda 
With many doubts and fears. 

The one perfect lamb that had been reserved for the 

sacrificial day, 
Had either been stolen from the flock or wandered 

far away. 

The tenth day of Nisan had arrived at last, 
The day for selecting the lamb as the Mosaic law had 
passed. 

No one in all the flock, save Rachel's pet, could they 

see 
That from spot and blemish was entirely free. 

Little Rachel with a trembling heart 
Had learned all this one day, 
And with bitter grief in her heart 
From them turned away. 



BRIGHTNESS A T LAST. \ 53 

Naphtali had not forgotten the promise 
To his daughter he had made, — 
That all her own the lamb should be, 
Just as he had said. 

To the troubled child the tenth day of Nisan 

A whole age seemed ; 

Expecting every hour her pet to lose, 

On whose fond love she leaned. 

To caress Becla all the morning she had not 

ceased, 
Hiding her blinding tears in its snow-white fleece. 

Naphtali asked her to accompany him to the temple 

for a walk, 
Saying that with them the little lamb might be 

brought. 

Not a word of the coming feast to the child did he 

say, 
But various points of the temple pointed out to her 

on the way. 

" How many great and grand things, papa, God to 

us doth bring !" 
She said, as he was telling her of the loving-kindness 

Of Israel's King. 



154 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

" Yes, darling, his mercies are fresh every morning 
And night to the children of men, 
For his great goodness towards us, what shall 
We render unto him ?" 

" Often you have told me, papa, 
Our whole hearts to him we must give ; 
And the things, I suppose, that we most love 
He would fain receive." 

" If asked of us, it must not be denied, 
But seldom such sacrifice is required," Naphtali 
gently replied. 

Little Rachel was now in tears, for to her it seemed 
That God was calling her pet lamb a sacrifice to 

bring. 
" Oh, father, I know now what you mean for me to 

give, 
But I am sure God is too good not to let my pet 

lamb live. 

" Why would not the lame sheep yonder 
Make a sacrifice complete ?" 
Her excited question he answered not, but bade 
Her sit on the grassy bank there at his feet. 

" Listen, darling, I will tell you once again 
The sad and beautiful story of the 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. 155 

Innocents who once were slain. 

It will help you better to bear this bitter trial 

Which now seems to you so very hard, my child." 

This touching story she had often heard 
But to-day there seemed to be a new meaning in 
every word. 

In her father's glowing words, she could see 
Before her the great company of Egypt's bondmen, 
And Pharaoh's hardened face there seemed to be, 
Then the implicit obedience of the trusting 
Israelites, as Moses, by God's ways, 
Bade each take a lamb without spot or blemish 
And slay it for the coming days. 

And as Naphtali described the fearful, visit 

Of the death-angel, it seemed that she 

All that long night his dusky wings could see. 

" Only the blood-marked posts of Israel's faithful 

band 
Had sufficient power to stay the avenging hand. 
And think you, Rachel, any one that night 
Would have hesitated, even a pet lamb to give 
For a sacrifice that a precious human soul might live?" 

" In our day, papa, did you not tell me 
The Passover was a memorial feast." " But 



156 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

God's word, Rachel, is God's word now 
Just as truly as then, at least." 

" Oh, yes, father, it must be so, I see ! 

So weak and childish any more I will not be. 

" What if God should take Thar from me, 
Because the pet lamb I did not want to bring." 
And she shuddered at the very thought of such a 

thing. 
" Think you he will, father ?" as she slipped 
The scarlet cord into his hand, blushing thus to 

speak. 
" No, darling, God is more kind to his obedient 
Children," replied he, stooping down to kiss her 

crimson cheek. 

" We will pray that our little Shethar he will spare 
And accept this offering for the coming feast." . 
" Poor Beda, I am sorry for him !" said Rachel, 
As she hid her wet cheeks in his snow-white fleece. 

" But to give him up I am willing, 
Because I know it is God's command ; 
So take him away now, father ; to play longer 
With him I cannot stand." 

" My brave little daughter !" was Naphtali's reply ; 
And as little Shethar joined them, he added, 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST 157 

" Go children to the neighbors nigh, 

And invite them the feast to share 

On the approaching fourteenth day ; 

More than for us it will suffice, and, according 

To our law, naught must be set away. 

The children quickly hastened their father's word to 

obey, 
And the invitations accepted were without delay. 
Rachel hastened home, her mission now fulfilled, 
While Thar in the opposite direction climbed up 

Olivet's hill. 

" What has happened ?" she quickly to him did say, 
When hurriedly from the hill he came away. 

" I was chasing a little butterfly up the hill, 
When beyond the bramble-bush it flew, 
And I was caught at will. 
It had led me to a bleating lamb close by, 
Entangled in the bushes, from which it 
Could not escape, much as it might try. 
I did my best to rescue the poor thing, 
That from the entangled thicket 
I might at last it bring. 
A beautiful lamb it is, sister, but its 
Frantic efforts to get away must give it pain ; 
Come, Rachel, need your help I will." 
And seizing a knife, he bounded up the hill again. 
14 



158 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

Rachel understood the meaning of his hurried 

words. 
" Was Beda saved?" this first thought in her bosom 

stirred. 

At all events, the lamb in the thicket 
Her father she would tell about, 
Trusting that Shethar's stout knife would 
Take the struggling sufferer out. 

Rachel was overjoyed to find her beautiful Beda alive 

still, 
And ere long Thar returned with the released lamb 

from the hill. 

They found it was the very one marked 
Months ago for the Paschal feast, 
Robbed a little of its outer covering, but free 
From spot or blemish it was at least. 

So the pet Beda was restored to Rachel that very 

day, 
And with it the keen sorrow of the sensitive child 

passed away. 

For the thrifty housewives, busy days 
Were those that intervened ; 
After the Paschal supper, the seven 
Days of unleavened bread were seen. 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST 159 

On the thirteenth day, when the sun went down 
And shone the twilight star, 
Each family, gathering in groups around 
Their boards, assembled near and far. 

" Purified," says Holy Writ, the priests and Levites 

were ; 
And they killed the Passover for the children of 

captivity 
And themselves to share. 

And the children of Israel, and all who 
Had laid aside their heathen superstitions 
For the Jewish faith, did eat, — 
With joy the feast of unleavened bread 
To the Lord did keep. 

Ah ! never before had the children of captivity 

Known such glad feast-days ; 

For who but the great Jehovah could have 

Turned the Assyrian's heart, 

And strengthened their hands to complete 

The work of God's house in every part ? 

Let us into Naphtali's home take a look 

On those bright, happy feast-days : 

Little Thar and Rachel are sitting at his feet, 

Listening to the story he repeats 

Of God's wondrous ways. 



160 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. 

How the bread was taken in haste 

From the kneading-trough, 

And each, of his neighbor, borrowed jewels 

And money of wages long withheld, to pay the cost. 

He tells them of God's wonderful care 

Over his people, the long wilderness through ; 

And he tells them of the captives' weary life in 

Babylon too, 
And of the tender Father's untiring care 
That followed his obedient children there. 
" Impenetrable the dark cloud of captivity 
Never quite has been ; 

But a cloud it is, that the breathing of God's 
Holy word is constantly making thin." 

The children a little puzzled looked the while, 
But Deborah and Ishbak heartily responded 
To Naphtali's happy smile. 

" The rifts of blue," spoke the latter, " have widened 

To take in the sun's bright face." 

" Verily," responded Naphtali, as he sung aloud 

A psalm of praise with simple grace ; 

While at Deborah's knee 

The little one laughed 

And crowed in merry glee. 

That night, indeed, the whole house seemed 
A cage of singing birds, 



BRIGHTNESS AT LAST. \Q\ 

And this was only one of the happy dwellings 

In the city that with sweet music stirred. 

But happy captives singing birds most surely are ; 

And yet, when the song is done, 

For caged birds, there is still the wire. 

It matters not that to-day the sun is shining bright, 
The clouds again may gather and hide the present 

light. 
Ah ! the captivity of the Jews was not all removed, 
But only the shadow lifted 
And a bit of the dark cloud widely rifted. 

Naphtali and his companions in the 
Widest rift we leave, it seems ; 
Although good old Zilpah, little Rachel, 
And Amram are not here to catch 
The passing gleams. 

Let us picture to ourselves the halo 
Of unapproachable light, 
That the brows of these faithful ones 
Are crowned with to-night. 

For they have passed beyond the shadow 
Of the cloud to the glorious shore ; 
Their feet may never tread the Jewish 
Temple, a temple not made with hands 
Is theirs forever more. 

FINIS. 
l 14* 






km-M 



